|| Gan Gan Ganat Bote ||

Shree Gajanan Maharaj Vijay Granth

Chapter 2

Exploring the Divine Teachings

Introduction

Welcome back to our exploration of the divine teachings found in the Shri Gajanan Maharaj Vijaygranth. This chapter is filled with stories that emphasize Maharaj's spiritual prowess and his compassionate nature, further solidifying the faith of his devotees and drawing new followers to his teachings. In this blog, we delve into the profound insights and spiritual wisdom encapsulated in Chapter 2. Join us as we unravel the essence of this poetic masterpiece and draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Gajanan Maharaj.

Understanding the Essence of Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the Gajanan Maharaj Vijaygranth is a rich tapestry of poetic verses that emphasize the importance of devotion, humility, and the transformative power of divine grace. Here are the key highlights

The Transformative Power of Devotion

The chapter begins by highlighting the significance of unwavering devotion. Just as a pond's beauty is enhanced by its blooming lotuses, a devotee's life is enriched by their dedication to the divine. The verses remind us that without the grace of God, all efforts are in vain.

The Importance of Satsang

The chapter also emphasizes the importance of satsang (spiritual gatherings) and the role of a Guru in guiding devotees on the path of righteousness. The interactions between Bankatlal and other devotees, as well as the presence of learned saints, highlight the collective effort required to attain spiritual growth.

Expanding the Faith

The chapter concludes with the spreading influence of Maharaj's teachings. As more people witnessed his miracles and imbibed his teachings, the community of his followers grew. Maharaj's message of love, compassion, and devotion began to resonate far and wide, bringing spiritual awakening to many.

Story of Bankatlal’s Devotion to Samarth

In Chapter 2, after the narrative was completed, Samarth left, and Bankatlal began to feel a deep sense of longing. He was so consumed with thoughts of Samarth that food and water no longer tasted sweet to him. The image of Gajanan was ever-present in his mind, and wherever he looked, he saw visions of him. This state, known as 'Dhyas' or deep contemplation, is not mere childish behavior. Just as a calf searches for its lost cow, Bankatlal was in a similar state of turmoil, but he had no one to confide in. He was too hesitant to share his feelings with his father.

Bankatlal's restlessness grew, and despite searching throughout Shegaon, he couldn't find any trace of Samarth. Upon returning home, his father, Bhavani Ram Sanmati, noticed his son's agitation and asked him why he seemed so troubled and different from his usual self. Bankatlal's father expressed concern, noting his son's lack of enthusiasm and visible sorrow, and questioned whether he was suffering from any illness.

Though Bankatlal reassured his father, he continued his search in Shegaon. Eventually, he confided in Ramajipant Deshmukh, an elderly and pious man who lived nearby. Bankatlal shared his entire situation, and Ramajipant, after listening, concluded that the person Bankatlal had seen must be a yogi, as such profound experiences are usually reserved for those with great spiritual merit. Ramajipant was eager to meet this yogi and requested that Bankatlal take him along next time he encountered Samarth.

Four days passed, and Bankatlal couldn't get Samarth out of his mind. During this time, Govindbuva Taklikar, a well-known kirtankar (one who performs spiritual discourses), came to Shegaon for a kirtan. The event was held at the Shiva temple, and many people, including Bankatlal, gathered to listen. While there, Bankatlal met Pitambar, a simple and devout tailor, and told him about his experience with Samarth.

As the kirtan progressed, Bankatlal and Pitambar suddenly spotted Samarth sitting quietly at the back of the gathering. Overwhelmed with joy, they ran towards him, much like how one would eagerly rush towards a treasure or a rainbird would rejoice at the sight of a rain cloud. With great reverence, they offered to bring him something to eat, but Samarth humbly asked for some bhakri and chutney from a nearby house.

Bankatlal quickly fetched the food, which Samarth began to eat. He then instructed Pitambar to fetch water from a nearby stream. However, Pitambar was hesitant, as the stream barely had any water, and whatever little was there was unsuitable for drinking. Samarth insisted that he bring water from the stream and not from anywhere else.

Despite his doubts, Pitambar went to the stream and was astonished to see that wherever he placed the vessel, the water level seemed to rise, allowing him to fill it. The previously muddy and unclean water had miraculously turned clear as crystal. Overcome with amazement, Pitambar realized the divine power of Samarth and returned with the water.

Samarth then asked Bankatlal for some betel nuts, which Bankatlal promptly retrieved from his pocket. Along with the betel nuts, two coins fell into Samarth's hand. Seeing this, Samarth jokingly asked Bankatlal if he thought of him as a trader. Samarth assured him that he had no need for material offerings and was only interested in sincere devotion.

After the meal, Samarth told Bankatlal and Pitambar to return to the kirtan, which they did, leaving Samarth under a neem tree. Govindbuva, upon noticing Samarth’s presence, became curious and approached him. He requested Samarth to join the kirtan at the temple, acknowledging him as a divine being. However, Samarth declined, expressing that the divine is present everywhere and there was no need for him to move. He urged Govindbuva to continue the kirtan without him.

Govindbuva returned to the gathering and, with great enthusiasm, told the audience about the precious gem that had come to Shegaon, likening Samarth to a walking, living deity. He urged the people of Shegaon to take good care of Samarth, for his presence was a blessing, and they should not let this divine opportunity slip away.

The kirtan concluded, and everyone returned home, but Bankatlal was filled with a profound sense of joy and contentment. Bankatlal, overwhelmed with love and devotion, shared everything that had happened with his revered father. He pleaded, "Father, please bring Gajanan to our home!" Listening to his son's heartfelt plea, Bhavani Ram responded warmly, saying, "You should be the one to bring him here."

With his father's consent, Bankatlal was filled with immense joy. He eagerly anticipated the moment he would meet his Guru and bring him home. Four days later, as the sun was setting, Bankatlal encountered his Sadguru in Manik Chowk. As the sun set in the sky, the spiritual sun rose in Manik Chowk, shining brightly due to Bankatlal's good fortune.

As the shepherds began herding their cows back to the village, they started gathering around Samarth, as if recognizing the divine presence. It felt as if Lord Krishna himself had arrived. Even the birds in the trees chirped joyfully, sensing the auspiciousness of the moment.

As the shopkeepers prepared their lamps for the evening, Bankatlal, with great reverence, brought Maharaj home. Upon seeing the Guru's divine form, his father was overwhelmed with joy and prostrated before him, offering his respectful salutations. He then seated Samarth on a special mat and humbly requested him to partake in a meal. "You have arrived here at dusk, just like Lord Shiva during the evening worship of Parvati," he said.

Recalling a story from the Skanda Purana, Bhavani Ram mentioned that it was considered extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva at dusk. He then quickly brought fresh Bilva leaves and placed them with great devotion on Samarth's head, while urging him to stay for a meal. However, as the meal was not yet ready, Bhavani Ram was troubled by how to proceed.

Although the food was not prepared, Samarth, who was fasting, left the house, creating a dilemma. A large crowd had gathered to witness this divine spectacle. After some thought, it was decided to offer Samarth the leftover puris from the afternoon meal, placing them on a tray before him. Bhavani Ram, with pure intentions, knew that Samarth would see beyond the material and appreciate the sincerity of their offering.

He assured himself, "I would never knowingly offer him leftover food, but due to the circumstances, I don't consider it inappropriate." With that, the puris, along with almonds, dried fruits, bananas, and sweet limes, were arranged on a tray and presented to Samarth, adorned with a flower garland around his neck.

Samarth, with a pleased heart, began to eat everything that was placed before him. He consumed a substantial amount of food, nearly three sher (an old Indian measurement unit), and spent the night there. The next morning, filled with great joy, Bankatlal organized a special ritual bath for Samarth, which was carried out with much devotion and grandeur.

About a hundred pitchers of warm water were used for the bath, and men and women poured the water over Samarth in a manner that pleased their hearts. Some applied shikakai (a traditional hair cleanser), while others used soap to lovingly scrub his lotus feet. Some massaged his body with hibiscus and other fragrant oils, while others prepared scented body scrubs.

The bathing ceremony was so elaborate that it is beyond description. In Bankatlal's home, nothing was lacking for the proper care of the Guru. After the bath, Samarth was respectfully dressed in a pitambar (a yellow silk cloth) and seated with great honor on a cushioned seat.

A saffron tilak was applied on his forehead, and various garlands were placed around his neck. Some offered tulsi (holy basil) garlands on his head, while others prepared a grand naivedya (offering of food) and presented it with devotion to Samarth. The blessings bestowed on Bankatlal on that day were immense. His home had transformed into a Dwarka (a holy city associated with Lord Krishna), filled with divine vibrations. And it was a Monday, the day dedicated to Lord Shiva.

All the people had fulfilled their desires, but there was still one left – Ichharam Shethji. He was a cousin of Bankatlal, and a devoted soul with a deep faith in Lord Shankar. He thought to himself, "Today is Monday, and I am observing a fast. It is as if Lord Shankar himself has come to my home, walking and talking."

He decided to perform a proper ritual worship of the Lord at dusk and then break his fast. As the sun set, Ichharam bathed and prepared himself for the evening worship, focusing his mind on the auspicious time of Pradosh. He gathered all the necessary items for worship and offered them to Samarth with immense love and devotion.

He then humbly requested, "Although you may have eaten earlier in the day, please have something now. Without you eating first, I will not break my fast. It is Monday, Guru Raya, and I am observing a fast!" While the desires of all other devotees were fulfilled, Ichharam's wish remained. He pleaded with Samarth, "Please fulfill my wish as well, out of your grace."

A crowd gathered, eagerly watching the scene. Ichharam, with deep faith, brought a tray filled with offerings – two servings of rice made from ambemohar (a fragrant rice variety), along with various sweet dishes. The spread included jalebi, raghavdas (a type of sweet), motichoor laddus, karanji, anarse, ghewar, and many other types of delicacies.

There were countless chutneys, salads, and a bowl of curd placed beside a vessel of ghee, all arranged meticulously. It was enough food for four people. Ichharam placed the tray before Samarth, and seeing the offerings, Maharaj smiled to himself and said, "Eat, eat all this food, Ganesha, without any hesitation. Look, all these people are watching your appetite."

Samarth sat down to eat and finished all the food, leaving nothing behind, not even the salt or lemon. This was an extraordinary display of the Guru's grace, meant to show the consequences of insistence. After finishing the meal, Samarth started vomiting all the food he had consumed, just as Shri Ramdas Swami had done once when he had a desire for kheer (rice pudding). Ramdas Swami, after satisfying his craving, vomited the kheer and then began eating it again to overcome his desires.

Similarly, to avoid the insistence of devotees, Samarth vomited the food, though he had the strength to digest it. Such is the behavior of the saints, which serves as a lesson for future generations, guiding them in the righteous path. The act performed by Samarth here was a subtle teaching to people that excessive insistence is not good and can have adverse outcomes. After the vomiting, the place was cleaned, and Maharaj was seated again, and given a bath. Devotees, both men and women, came to take his darshan (auspicious sight), and then two groups arrived to perform bhajan (devotional singing).

Their voices were melodious, resonating beautifully like the peacock's call, as they began singing the name of Lord Vitthal with great enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Maharaj, seated on his seat, spoke in his distinct way, saying, "Gan Gan Ganat Bote." This was his constant mantra, always accompanied by a rhythmic clapping of hands, and the joy that filled the atmosphere was indescribable, lasting throughout the night.

The mantra "Gan Gan" was so frequently used by him that people started calling him Gajanana. How can one name or form be attributed to someone who is self-realized and has transcended both? Names and forms are only a part of material existence, and the enlightened soul remains immersed in the supreme bliss that is beyond description.

During the month of Ashadha, when pilgrims throng Pandharpur, or during the Simhastha Kumbh on the banks of the Godavari, or at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the crowds are immense. But even greater were the multitudes that came to Bankatlal’s house in Shegaon for darshan.

Swami Samarth Gajanana was like Lord Vitthal or Narayana himself, and there was no doubt in people's minds. They saw him standing on the brick, just as Lord Vitthal does, and this assurance brought joy to the people of Shegaon, transforming the town into a spiritual haven.

For those who have attained Brahma, the question of caste or social identity becomes irrelevant. Just as the sunlight is the same for everyone, the enlightened one sees no distinction. Daily, new devotees came, and special worship was performed. Even Shesha (the thousand-headed serpent) would tire of describing it all.

In this vastness, where do I stand? I am like a small insect, but it is Samarth's grace that makes me speak. Now, I will share a little about the daily routine of Samarth. His life was deep and beyond comprehension, and I lack the intellect to fully describe it.

Sometimes he would take a ritual bath, sometimes he would visit different places, and at other times, he would drink muddy water. His daily routine was as unpredictable as the wind, and no one could fix a specific pattern to it.

His love for the chilum (a smoking pipe) was apparent, and it was always placed above everything else, though he had no attachment to it. It was just a part of his divine play. Now, as we move to the next chapter, keep your hearts open and listen attentively, for the time has come to understand the profound teachings of Samarth.

Conclusion

Chapter 2 of the Gajanan Maharaj Vijaygranth offers a wealth of spiritual wisdom that continues to inspire and guide devotees on their spiritual journey. The poetic verses beautifully capture the essence of devotion, the transformative power of divine grace, and the importance of humility and service. As we reflect on these teachings, let us strive to embody the virtues espoused by Gajanan Maharaj and seek his blessings in our quest for spiritual enlightenment.