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It was
destined for every sincere devotee of Shri Bhaktaraj Maharaj
to meet Shri Ramanand Maharaj, who before his initiation and
naming ceremony at mortakka Yadnya was known as "SHRI RAMJI
DADA". Very affable DADA acted as a Very humble server of
Shri Bhaktaraj Maharaj, till he lived.
Shri
Ramanand is affectionately called Ramji Dada. Dada took a
pledge to protect Bhaktaraj under any circumstances. Dada
was, STHITAPRADNYA one and the same during rain or sunshine
during mirth or misery. He felt nothing during the
torrential showers of abuses or lilting laughter of Shri
Bhaktaraj Maharaj.
After the
passing away of Bhaktaraj, Dada declared at the time of
igniting the pyre at Kandali that he could touch even the
hem of Shri Baba’s cloak and again added that his sacred
duty was to uphold and preserve the pious heritage and
compassionate deeds of Baba that were entrusted to him. He
told an august assembly one Guru Poornima Day in Nasik that
his duty was to preserve the sacred gaddi of the late Shri
Baba. He said again at that time that he (Dada) was not the
Gurubandhu of Bhaktaraj but Dada was his disciple only! He
was the preserver of the Sacred PADUKAS of Shri Bhaktaraj.
The world
"disciple" in English language has been derived from the
world (An abstract noun) "DISCIPLINE". One who maintains
discipline (Strictness with one's own self) can become a
disciple of a Sadguru. Sanskrit Language has also expressed
the same ideology in the word "Shishya". It means-one who
observers a strict disciplinary conduct or routine in every
act of devotion or service is called the observer of "Shista"
and if one has Shista i.e. the inner discipline, one can
become a disciple of a Sadguru i.e. Shishya. Dada is very
strict with himself and therefore he is very kind with
others. From his side, he shows LOVE only. He is always seen
to accentuate the POSITIVE and to discard the NEGATIVE.
Shri Dada keeps on moving
for the purpose of meeting people from places to places.
Places that he visits range from Yadnopavit or Marriage
pendaals, houses of devotees for KIRTAN, as well the places
'where His or Baba's lovers or near ones and dear ones fall
ill or breathe their last. When Smt. Desai and I were in the
hospital in Mumbai (Jaslok) after a serious car accident,
Shri Bhaktaraj flew all the way from Indore and brought lots
of boxes containing all sorts of sweets and Salty tidbits
and distributed them to the attending staff and doctors of
the hospital as well as all and Sundry attending upon us.
Shri Ramanand did the same thing again in the same hospital
after some years when Smt. Desai was lying flat after two
major operations.
Dada's
KIRTANS are as best as ' those done by revered Bhaktaraj.
The use of Dafli (hand drum) during the crescendo
intensified the late night assemblies of devotees taking
them to the heights of meditational ecstasy. This I had
experienced every Thursday Late nights in ZIKRAS held by my
Master Hazrat Kaamu Baba in his abode al Goraegaon.
Dada never
uses any Verbal Jargon in a wanton manner! He is like the
silent steam working in a railway engine. It does not make
any noise, but keeps on running the engine. It is the steam,
that escapes from the engine, that makes great noise!
In fine! quote a sentence very fondly and frequently uttered
by Shri Bhaktaraj when he described Dada thus: " You will
find Bhaktaraj and such similar persons; but you will find
only ONE Ramanand !"
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A
Monograph by SHRI BEJON N. DESAI, NASIK
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