Madhav Rao Deshpande (Shama) - birthday on 6th December

Madhav Rao Deshpande (Shama) - 6th December - 2021 is

141st Birthday 

Madhav Rao Deshpande (Shama) was among Baba's most intimate devotees, and acted like his personal secretary. The relationship between Baba and Shama can be comapred to that of Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Shama was “The Nandi to Bhola Baba”. 

He was born on Margashirsh Shudda Panchmi day i.e., 6th December 1880 to a Yajurvedi Deshasth Brahmin family from Nimon. His mother was his father's fourth wife. The first three could not bear any children. So his father married Lakshman Mama Kulkarni's sister. Shama was the eldest son in the family. He had two younger brothers - Kashinath Balwant who was adopted by the family and was named Ganesh Sridhar, and Bappajee Balwant. He came to Shirdi at the age of two years along with his parents and stayed in this house till his last breath. In Nimon Gaon his ancestors were tax collectors and had vast acres of land. They also received some income from that post. He studied in Shirdi and later became a assistant master in a Junior School and taught the students in a room next door to the mosque (Dwarakamai). Then he took up the post of 'Patil' of Ashtha Gaon, a village about twenty miles from Shirdi. The room which Shama taught was later turned into a stable for Baba's beloved Horse Shyam Karan. Baba called Mahdav Rao as "Shama" or more often "Shamyaa" in a tone filled with love and affection. The word "Shyam" in Sanskrit means black, but a flawless and pleasing black colour. There was a small window in the this room which overlooked the mosque and Shama used to watch Baba through it soon realizing Baba's remarkable powers and so kindling his faith.

Shama had also learnt Ayurveda and administered medicines to the sick and ailing. Many people from Mumbai came to consult Shama. Interestingly, he did not go to any school to learn Ayurveda. He just read various books and was self-taught. Patients from far and wide used to visit him for getting treatment. Whenever he gave or administered any medicines to patients, he never failed to mix Udi in the medicines. And only after taking Baba's name he used to start the treatment.

Shama used to address Baba as "Deva" but often took liberties with Him. The other devotees did not have the courage to ask Baba to come and sit for lunch. But Shama, after the noon Aarti got completed, used to say "Deva get up and go and take your seat. And make Kaala of the prasad". Baba without uttering a word would get up at once and sit near the Nimbar.

Mention is made in Sai Satcharitra when Baba asked Dhabolkar to go to Shama’s house and take Dakshina from him and sit and chitchat for a while. Shama came out of the inner room and told Dhabolkar to be seated, as he was about to do Puja. So saying he went into the inner room. Dhabolkar sat on the Verandah and waited till he finished the Puja. Then Shama came out and told him the beautiful story of Radha Bai Deshmukh (Refer Sai Satcharitra Chapter 18 and 19).

Once Bala Saheb Miriker visited Shirdi and after darshan he wanted to return to Chitale. Baba knowing that he was to have an encounter with a Snake averted it by asking him to take Shama with him. (Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 22).

Shama was a very intimate devotee of Baba and Baba wanted to favour him in a particular way by giving him a copy of Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam as Prasad. This was done in the following way. Once a Ramadasi (follower of Saint Ramadas) came to Shirdi and stayed for some time. The routine he followed daily was as follows: He got up early in the morning, washed his face, bathed and then after wearing saffron-coloured clothes and besmearing himself with sacred ashes, read Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam (a book giving a thousand names in praise of Vishnu, and held second in importance to Bhagwad Geeta) and Adhyatma-Ramayana (Esoteric version of Rama's story) with faith. He read these books often and often and then after some days Baba thought of favouring and initiating Shama with Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam. He, therefore, called the Ramadasi to Him and said to him that, He was suffering from intense stomach-pain, and unless He took Senna-pods (Sona-mukhi, a mild purgative drug) the pain would not stop; so he should please go to the bazar and bring the drug. The Ramadasi closed his reading and went to the bazar. Then Baba descended from His seat, came to the Ramadasi's place of reading, took out the copy of Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam, and coming to His seat said to Shama- "Oh Shama, this book is very valuable and efficacious, so I present it to you, you read it. Once I suffered intensely and My heart began to palpitate and My life was in danger. At that critical time, I hugged this book to My heart and then, Shama, what a relief it gave me! I thought that Allah Himself came down and saved Me. So I give this to you, read it slowly, little by little, read daily one name at least and it will do you good." Shama replied that he did not want it, and that the owner of it, the Ramadasi who was a mad, obstinate and irritable fellow would certainly pick up a quarrel with him, besides, being a rustic himself, he could not read distinctly the Sanskrit (Devanagari) letters of the book.

Shama thought that Baba wanted to set him up against the Ramadasi by this act of His, but he had no idea of what Baba felt for him. Baba must have thought to tie this necklace of Vishu-Sahasra-Nam round the neck of Shama, as he was an intimate devotee, though a rustic, and thus save him from the miseries of the worldly existence. The efficacy of God's Name is well-known. It saves us from all sins and bad tendencies, frees us from the cycle of births and deaths. There is no easier sadhana than this. It is the best purifier of our mind. It requires no paraphernalia and no restrictions. It is so easy and so effective. This sadhana, Baba wanted Shama to practise, though he did not crave for it. So Baba forced this on him. It is also reported that long ago, Eknath Maharaj, similarly, forced this Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam on a poor Brahmin neighbour, and thus saved him. The reading and study of this Vishnu-Sahasra-Nam is a broad open way of purifying the mind, and hence Baba thrust this on His Shama.

The Ramadasi returned soon with the Seena-pods. Anna Chinchanikar, who was then present and who wanted to play the part of Narada (the Celestial Rishi who was wellknown for setting up quarrels between Gods and demons and vice versa), informed him of what had happened. The Ramadasi at once flared up. He came down at once on Shama with all fury. He said that it was Shama who set Baba to send him away under the pretext of stomachache for bringing the medicine and thus got the book. He began to scold and abuse Shama and remarked that if the book be not returned, he would dash his head before him. Shama calmly remonstrated with him, but in vain. Then Baba spoke kindly to him as follows - "Oh Ramadasi, what is the matter with you? Why are you so turbulent? Is not Shama our boy? Why do you scold him unnecessarily? How is it that you are so quarrelsome? Can you not speak soft and sweet words? You read daily these sacred books and still your mind is impure and your passions uncontrolled. What sort of a Ramadasi you are! You ought to be indifferent to all things. Is it not strange that you should covet this book so strongly? A true Ramadasi should have no 'mamata' (attachment) but have 'samata' (equality) towards all. You are now quarrelling with the boy Shama for a mere book. Go, take your seat, books can be had in plenty for money, but not men; think well and be considerate. What worth is your book? Shama had no concern with it. I took it up Myself and gave it to him. You know it by heart. I thought Shama might read it and profit thereby, and so I gave to it him."

How sweet were these words of Baba, soft, tender and nectar-like! Their effect was wonderful. The Ramadasi calmed down and said to Shama that he would take Panchratni' Geeta in return. Shama was much pleased and said - "Why one, I shall give ten copies in return".

So the matter was ultimately compromised. The question for consideration is "Why should the Ramadasi press for Pancha-ratni Geeta, the God in which he never cared to know, and why should he, who daily read religious books in the Masjid in front of Baba, quarrel with Shama before Him?" We do not know how to apportion the blame and whom to blame. We only say that, had this procedure been not gone through, the importance of the subject, the efficacy of God's name and the study of Vishnu- Sahasra-Nam would not have been brought home to Shama. So we see that Baba's method, of teaching and initiating was unique. In this case Shama did gradually study the book and mastered its contents to such an extent, that he was able to explain it to Professor G.G. Narke, M.A. of the College of Engineering, Poona, the son-in-law of Shriman Booty and a devotee of Baba. (Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 27).

Once a devotee by name Smt.Aurangabadkar asked Shama to help her in opening her heart to Baba, as she was seeking a cure for her infertility. Shama waited for the right opportunity. One day when Baba was in a joyful mood, He pinched Shama's cheek. Shama pretended to be offended. When Baba said "in the seventy-two generations that we have been together have I ever touched you? Just try and remember". Thus Baba indicated to Shama that their Rinanubandhic ties spanned for a period seventy-two generations. (Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 36).

Once Shama was suffering from a fulminating eye infection. His eyes were red, swollen and watered profusely. He tried various ointments and pills. But the infection went from bad to worse. The swelling increased and the pain became quite unbearable. At last he went to Baba and confronted Him. Baba asked him if all was well. This upset him very much and hence he said angrily 'Deva I haven't seen such a callous, and unconcerned God like you. You cure the whole humanity. For the last four days I am in agony. My eyes are swollen, watering continuously and the pain is unbearable. Because of the throbbing I am crying, shouting and dying of pain, but you are oblivious to this. Aren't you ashamed of Yourself? Are you blind? Are you deaf too? What use is such a God? If by tomorrow my eyes are not cured, I will drive you out of the Dwarakamai or my name is not Shama'. To this Baba said in Marathi language 'Ugach, vat vat karu nakos Shamyaa, saath meeryanch daane ugaal aani de doolyath ghalun mange bhag thuje doole vingaavani hothil' (meaning Shyama, don't grumble for nothing. Take seven black pepper seeds and boil them in some water and put this in your eyes. And your eyes will become crystal clear. Here take this Udi and go). These words of Baba further infuriated Shama. Hence he told to Baba 'Deva you think you are very smart? Where on earth did you learn this Vaidgiri? I will put the pepper in my eyes and my eyes will burst. How great is your prescription? It's a prescription only to burst people's eyes'. To which Baba calmly said, 'Don't act smart Shamyaa. Go and do what I said, and if your eyes don't become clear then you can get angry'. Eventhough Madhav Rao shouted at Baba he had utmost faith in Baba and His words. Shama did as directed by Baba and at that very moment Shama's eyes became crystal clear. (Shirdi Che Sai Baba, Dr.Keshav B.Gavankar).

Once Shama asked Baba whether there really was a 'Trilok'.He asked baba was there a Brahma Lok, Vishnu Lok and Shiv Lok. To this Baba replied in the affirmative. Shama immediately said "Arre Deva why don't you show it to me?". Shama insisted on seeing the Trilok. Then Baba asked him to close his eyes and then open them. And lo! Shama could see Brahma Lok. He saw the most beautiful, ornate diamond studded throne on which lord Brahma was sitting. He was holding court with his Ministrels. They too were sitting on beautiful, golden chairs studded with gems. There was so much gold and gems that it was indescribable. Baba said "Shama this is Satya Lok, and this is Brahma Dev". Baba then asked him to open and close his eyes again and He showed him Vaikunth Lok. Lastly He showed him Shiv Lok. Each time Shama saw one of the Loks, Baba explained to him what he was seeing and who the presiding deity was. Shama was overwhelmed by what he saw. He was slightly frightened and at the same time joyful to see the abundance of wealth and opulanence. Again Baba emphasised, "Shama all this is not for us, our goal is quite unusual". Shama could see all this because Baba gave him Divya Drishti (Cosmic Vision). (Shirdi Che Sai Baba, Dr.Keshav B.Gavankar).

Baba distributed vast amounts of money on a daily basis to many devotees. But He did not give any money to Shama. Instead Baba gave him spiritual gifts that were invaluable. Baba often gave him religious books, Pothis and Shama read and reread them with great zeal. The other spiritual gift that Baba gave to Shama was to send him on pilgrimages. Shama travelled across the length and breadth of India and visited many Holy places like Kashi, Char Dham and Jagannath Puri.

Everyday Baba received many letters and Shama would read them aloud to Baba. And according to Baba's orders would reply to them. If any devotee sent any money Shama used to go to the post office, collect the money and hand it over to Baba. Once a devotee had sent a money order for two rupees. Shama went and collected the money from post office. But while returning from the post office, he changed his mind and came and hid the money atop the Rath room inside Dwarakamai. The omnipresent Baba knew this but did not utter a word to Shama. But after few days, disaster struck. One night there was a theft in Shama's house and the thief robbed him of two hundred fifty rupees. Shama searched for the money everywhere and later reported the matter to the police, but to no avail. Then in desparation he went to Baba and said "Baba there was a theft in my house and the thief stole two hundred and fifty rupees. Do you feel good about this? That a poor man like me lost so much of money. Arre Deva who can I tell my tale of woe to but you?". To This Baba calmly said "Arre Shamyaa what is the matter? Because there was a theft, and you lost money, you came to Me with your complaint. But when My two rupees were stolen to whom should I complain?". Shama immediately understood the meaning of Baba's words. Baba further said to Shama "the value of two hundred and fifty rupees for a poor man like you, has the same value of two rupees for a Fakir like Me" (Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Ank 5, Year 17, 1940).

Shama did not perform ritualistic pooja to Baba like many other devotees. But he had intense faith in Baba. This faith is impossible to describe. Shama had utter, one pointed, concentrated and selfless devotion towards Baba. Shama used to perform Sai Nama Jap with every breath that he took. This has been mentioned very clearly in Shirdi Diary. The entry for 8th December 1911 states as follows: "Madhavarao Deshpande was here and fell asleep. I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears what I only read about but never experienced. With every outgoing and indrawing breath, comes the clear sound of 'Sainath Maharaj, Sainath Baba'. This sound is still clearer when Madhavrao snores as the words can be heard at a distance. This is really wonderful".

Shama was married twice. His first wife was Savitri Bai, the daughter of Gopal Katchwar Kulkarni of Nimon. She had a son named Eknath. His second wife was Dwarka Bai. She had two sons - Udhavarao and Jagannath Panth and a daughter by name Baby Tai.

When the Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan was formed Shama was staying in Dixit Wada. About four months before he expired there was some misunderstanding and Shama was asked to vacate Dixit Wada within two months. He did so and came back to his home which is near Baba's Dwarakamai. Shama was quite a healthy villager and lived upto 80 years.

On 25th April 1940, Thursday at about twelve noon Shama lost consciousness. And on the late night of same day Chaitra Krishna Chaturthi day i.e., on Thursday, 26th April 1940 Shama breathed his last and became one with his Sadguru (ref: Sainchyaa Saanidhyaat).

Shama's house is situated towards the right bylane while going from Dwarakamai to the Bazaar. After Shama, this house was looked after by his son Udhav Rao Deshpande who breathed his last on 27th June 1998. Udhav Rao stated that he was a young lad before Baba’s Mahasamadhi and often he would play with Baba. Baba loved children a lot, and he spent many evenings playing with Baba. Once Shama asked Baba “What would happen to this child?”. It is stated that Baba said “He will grow up in the Masjid and that there will be no dearth of funds for his livelihood”. Now the widow of Udhav Rao Smt.Kusuma looks after this ancestral house.

This house is very sacred as Baba gave him various books to keep and read. There is a statue of Ganapati towards the right hand corner in the main room and it is said that this Ganapati was given by Baba. There are some original photographs of Baba (going to Lendi Bagh and Baba sitting with Shama to his left and Mahalsapathi to his right).

Om Sairam