The Wealth I Amass.

Prakash Maharaj with shawl and My MJ Kaka with outstretched arms

Posted on FB in the past. It was the year I lost my Baba.

It is 10 December 2021, the month of Shree Gondavalekar Maharaj's punyatithi utsav. This year it the 108th year, it is on 29 Dec 2021. This year like the last the Utsav is online due to COVID protocol. The number 108 is very spiritually charged. It is the basis of life. 

In December when I am not able to be in Gondavale I miss all the people who continue to influence my thoughts even though they have left this earth. The most intelligent group of people consisting of Engineers, Doctors, high level professionals the creme la creme of our country. In Gondavale they would do whatever seva they could. As they grew older they did more and more jap. I have asked curious questions and may be been stupid and audacious in the young age. They never avoided any confrontational queries about spiritualism. They loved my father for his dedication in jap. I am lucky to have received the love and blessings of these people in various forms. Dr. Appa Athavale gave me a copy of his handwritten diary, I absolutely cherish it. Ghadi kaka who handed over his Dnyaneshwari to me with a sankalp. Dr. S. R. Phatak who guided me when I was a teen explained to me the effects of Maruti stotra on physiology. Dr. Arvind Bawdekar, Dr. Bhide, Bapusaheb Marathe, Nana Kulkarni, G. S. Gokhale and Shalini tai, and the youngest of the 7 gems Prof. S Khaparde who we loving call Balasaheb. Sir is now the only one after my father who is my lighthouse. I have known him since I was in my 20s. When he asks, "kashi aahes tu?" my eyes well up. There is so much love. Shree Maharaj took samadhi in 1913 but I feel his love thru Sir. He just retired from IIT Mumbai as and spends time focusing on jap.

I am lucky to have spent time with Prof. K. V. Belsare in the last year of his life when I would visit him often from work. Since I worked in Goregaon at the time I was able to attend his final goodbye in Malad. What a life!

I am blessed to have cooked for Prakash Maharaj in my twenties. He used to eat only roots at the time. I would make him dishes with suran and potatoes on his rare visit to Mumbai. He would not eat at any other place and would tell me to make something for him because food carries sanskar.

Ghadi kaka at his home in Suman Nagar

All of these people have been such an inspiration in my life. The proof of blessings is I am happy in life even after all the storms I weathered. 

Shree Maharaj always said for a grihasth should do his duties well and chant the name of Ram. He has made it so easy. 🙏🏽🌸