The Blessed One – Kaka Saheb Dixit

Hari Sitaram Dixit popularly known as Kakasaheb Dixit was born in a Brahmin family in Khandva, Madhya Pradesh in the year 1864. His primary education was completed in Khandva and Hingan Ghat. Later he took admission in Alfiston College in Mumbai and earned law degree (L.L.B.) at the age of 19. After that, he appeared in Solicitors examination and at the age of 21, he joined a solicitors firm by name Little & Co. Later he started his own solicitation business. Due to sharp intelligence and good presence of mind he became wealthy soon. Kakasaheb was well versed in English and Sanskrit. He used to study Ramayan, Mahabharat, Yog Vashit and Jnaneshwari regularly.

Injury to leg
Once Kakasaheb Dixit went to London for some social service and while trying to board a fast train he missed a step and fell on the platform. There was sprain in his leg. It was a deep wound. Due to this he was not able to walk straight. He went through many treatments in London, undergo surgery, yet he was not able to walk properly till his end. Due to his disability he got a chance to visiti Shirdi. Sometimes calamities are blessing in disguise!

When Kakasaheb returned to India, he was not aware of the glory of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. In the year 1909, once he went to Lonawala on vacation and met his class fellow Nanasaheb Chandorkar after many years. Kakasaheb narrated his disability to Nanasaheb in detail. Nanasaheb said, “When all the dava (medicines) stop working then only Duaa (prayers to God) works.” Nana saheb suggested Kakasaheb to take refuge of Shri Sai Baba.

In the year 1910 Kakasaheb had to go to Ahmednagar for election related work. He resided at Sardar Mirikar’s house who was a well-known devotee of Sai Baba. Once Kakasaheb Dixit accompanied Sardar Mirikar to a horse race event and they met Balasaheb Mirikar (Sardar Mirikar’s cousin), Mamlatdar of Kopergaon, Nana Panse and Appa Gadre . All started discussing the various leelas of Sai Baba with each other. Nana Panse said, “a staunch devotee of Baba, Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama) is in Ahmednagar“. After returning from the event Mirikar sent his servant to escort Shama to his residence. On his arrival Kakasaheb got so excited that he hugged Madhavrao lovingly.

Shama had visited Ahmednagar as his mother-in-law was ill and since she had recovered Shama was planning to return to Shirdi on the same night. Kakasaheb Dixit instantly made the decision to visit Shirdi and they both  boarded in train at 10 o’clock from Ahmednagar and when they alighted at Kopargaon, they saw Nanasaheb Chandorkar standing on the platform.

Nanasaheb said, “Had not I said that Sai Baba pulls his devotees like a sparrow with its legs tied to thread.” The trio fully engrossed in happiness, took darshan of Lord Dattatreya and hired a tonga to Shirdi. As soon as Kakasaheb stepped in Dwarkamai, Baba said, “O Welcome Langda Kaka!” After that Lord Sai Baba started calling him Langda Kaka and other people of Shirdi started calling him Kakasaheb. Kakasaheb was so much impressed with Baba that he requested Baba to cure the lameness of his mind, instead of his leg.

Construction of Wada

During his short presence in Shirdi Kakasaheb stayed in Sathe Wada. But he was uncomfortable there so he decided to build a shelter place for devotees. Kakasaheb shared his desire with Baba and seeked His permission to build a wada. With Baba’s permission the construction of wada started on December 10, 1910 and it was completed after four months. The wada was opened to devotees visiting Shirdi from March 12, 1911.

Gradually Kakasaheb’s interest from worldly affairs declined and he made Shirdi his home. One day Kakasaheb said to Baba, “God has given me enough wealth to survive the rest of my life then why I be engaged in worldly affairs? I got a chance to live in Shirdi due to my good fortune. I have no desire to leave the pleasure of heaven like and go to any hell. I wish to give up my solicitor’s business and live in Shirdi forever.“

Baba replied, “Kaka Why do you want to wind up your business?”

Kakasaheb answered, “Baba in my business, I have to falsify the truth and false facts are to be made true.“

Baba then replied, “Others may do whatever they like, but why should we follow them? Do your business honestly, but there is no need to wind up your business.“

So, as per Baba’s advice Kakasaheb continued his business, however he continued to stay most of the time of the year in Shirdi and served Baba with sincererity and love. Baba advised him to read Eknathi Bhagwat every morning and Ramayan at night, which Kakasaheb followed strictly even if while traveling in train. This was his routine till his last day.

During the year 1926, Kakasaheb Dixit’s son Ramkrishna fell ill. He was admitted in Dr. Deshmukh’s hospital. Kakasaheb intended to see him so he went to meet Govindrao R. Dabholkar in Colaba from Vile Parle. Then both left and reached Mahim station where Kakasaheb met another staunch devotee of shirdi sai baba – Raghunath Purandhare. On hearing about Ramkrishna’s bad health, shri Purandhare expressed his desire to visit him in the hospital. When the trio reached Mahim station, they were late by few minutes; yet they were able to board the train with Baba’s grace.

After boarding the train, Kakasaheb said, “How kind of Baba! He takes care of the minutest needs of His devotees. If we had missed the train we would have spent the night in Colaba“. Saying these words Kakasaheb closed his eyes. Purandhare and Dabholkar thought Kakasaheb got engrossed in Baba’s meditation.

After the train passed few stations Dabholkar whispered to Kakasaheb, “Bhau, are you awake?” He repeated few times, but did not get reply and when he shook Kakasaheb he realized that Kakasaheb has left this mortal world. On July 5, 1926, Monday, Ekadashi day at the age of sixty two, Kakasaheb entered Baba’s world (heaven). Once Baba had said to him: “Kaka! I will take you in a chariot“.

From the point of view of a worldly person, Kakasaheb’s death was fearless and peaceful. From the point of view of spirituality, his death could be considered as a blessing from his Sadguru. It is said in Gita, “The last wish or thought a man has at the hour of death, determines his future course“. When Kaksaheb breathed his last, he was talking about Baba’ kindness. Hence he attained Sadgati. Truely, Kaksaheb wa a blessed soul!

As quoted in Shri Guru Bhagavat,

” Taba krupaaru hey mahaana || Bhaktaku mile dibya gyaana

Tame bhaktara chira saathi || Taa’ aatmaa rathare saarathi”

[Oh the Great one, due to Your kindness the devotees gain spiritual knowledge. You are the eternal friend of the devotees. You are the charioteer in the chariot of his heart.]

“Shudha bhakti maargare gale || Swaroopara darshana mile

Jeebana hele samarpita || Prabhu darshana hue praapta”

[One can experience the true form of God only by treading the path of pure devotion. God realization happens when one’s life itself is surrendered to God.]