(Upasani Baba functioned as a Sadguru in Sakori & reached the pinnacle of fame during
1927-28. His fame declined thereafter.The Kanya Kumari Sthan in Sakori is a unique
contribution of Upasani Baba. He wrote in a hymn that "Sai Baba is the unborn, the
veritable Brahman." & also composed the famous arti song, “Shri Sainath Mahima Stotra”
(Sada nimba vrukhashya...........).)
Upasani Baba’s full name was Kashinath Govindrao Upasani Shastri. He was born on
5th May, 1870 in Satana village, Nasik district and his parents were Govind Shastri
and Rukmini. He was born in an orthodox Brahmin family. His grandfather, Gopal Shastri
was the court adviser on religious and literary matters to the Gaekwad of Baroda,
besides being an adviser to many other small States.Govind Shastri, his father was
a copyist in the civil court of Dhulia. Kashinath did not behave like a normal child
from the beginning. He studied for three years in a vernacular elementary school
and left the school due to merciless canning by his teacher. He also hated his own
body as the body was not free from pain. He was interested and spent all his time
in performing Asanas, Pranayama, repetition of mantras etc. He practically became
a problem boy to his parents. Thinking that after marriage, he would change, he
was married but marriage was of no use and he did not change and on the other hand,
he ran away from home and reached Nasik. However, after a few months, he returned
home. Shortly thereafter his wife passed away. And again he was married for the
second time. For his livelihood he went to places like Pune and could not find a
job because he did not study well. For some time, he did menial service and for
some other time, he took to begging and used to sleep on road side footpaths and
now and then used to live only on neem leaves. He also went to Kalyan where he again
started begging for his livelihood. After some time, he returned to Satana in 1890.
Then his father passed away. After some time his grand father also passed away and
at that time his family was in debts. At that time, another calamity took place
in his second wife also passing away. He was totally dejected and to earn livelihood,
he went to Sangli to learn Sanskrit and ayurvedic medicine and became an. ayurvedic
doctor. He practiced in Amroati and earned enough money and invested money heavily
in lands which resulted in a loss to him. Then he stopped his ayurvedic practice
and went with his third wife to several places on pilgrimage. Thus he failed in
all his attempts to
earn his livelihood properly. His health also deteriorated substantially.
Once while practicing Pranayama, his breath-cycle also got disturbed and his health
was affected. All efforts of medical treatment having failed, he wanted to get help
from a sage by name Kulkarni at Rahuri who told him that he had entered into a high
yogic state and therefore, must take the help of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi. He thought
within himself that Sai Baba might be a Muslim and hence he did not take the advice
seriously. One day when he was walking in the streets of Rahuri, an old man approached
and advised him to drink hot water instead of cold water so that his health would
be alright. . He also did not take this advice seriously. Later on in Jajuri, he
went into a Samadhi state while sitting in a lonely place and when he awoke, he
felt very thirsty and went to the stream nearby to drink water. At that time the
same old man re-appeared all of a sudden and repeated his earlier advice in an angry
tone and disappeared suddenly. He took this advice this time seriously and followed
what he advised and then found sudden relief by drinking hot-water. Then he moved
to Kedgaon to meet Narayan Maharaj. On his way back he again met Kulkarni at Rahuri
who again insisted that he should go and meet Sai Baba in Shirdi. Finally Kashinath
came to Shirdi and met Shri Sai Baba on 27th June 1911 at the age of 41 years and
his illness suddenly disappeared miraculously. Baba then asked him to stay in the
wada. Baba also narrated an instance that once he met an emaciated and pregnant
woman whom he advised to take only hot water and avoid drinking cold-water so that
the child could be delivered easily. She did not follow his advice and continued
drinking cold water only. Baba again advised the lady not to drink the cold water
but only drink the hot water only. She listened then and started drinking the hot
water and then she delivered the child easily. While narrating the story Baba was
looking frequently at Kashinath, who was convinced beyond doubt that it was Baba
who had appeared at the two places and advised him. Baba advised him to stay in
Khandoba temple for 4 years and also said that after 4 years of stay in that temple
he would get the full Grace and Blessings of Lord Khandoba. Baba advised him to
simply sit quiet in the temple doing nothing and he would easily get spiritual benefits.
Baba sometimes used harsh methods towards Kashinath in order to make him a perfect
Guru. Baba once told Kashinath that he would visit one day Khandoba temple where
Kashinath was staying. One day Kashinath saw
a black dog in the temple while he was cooking. While he did not give any food to
the dog, he brought food to Baba in the masjid. Then Baba said, “why did you take
the trouble to bring the food here, in this hot sun. I was sitting there in your
place in the temple”. Kashinath was shocked to hear that statement from Baba. He
told Baba that there was none in the temple except a black dog.Baba immediately
replied ‘yes, yes, I was that dog”. Then Kasinath felt that he should not commit
such a mistake again. He was vigilant the next day while cooking, he watched around
but could not see the dog.. But he saw a low-caste beggar in the temple who was
watching him cook. Kashinath immediately asked him to go away. Later when he approached
Baba with food, Baba told him “yesterday you did not give me food and today you
also ordered me not to stand there and drove me away. Do not bring food for me hereafter”.
Baba told Kashinath. Baba appeared there in the temple as a low-caste beggar whom
he drove away. Thus, Kashinath understood that Baba and God were one and the same
and Baba was there in everything. While staying in Shirdi, he wanted to return to
his home and stay with wife but Baba did not give permission. In 1912 his third
wife passed away and he was very much upset. Later he developed an extreme aversion
for food and he used to throw away food to dogs. Strangely he stopped eating altogether
for one year during 1913-1914. Though he was without food and lost considerable
weight, he was still doing hard manual work. In July-August, 1913, Baba indicated
that Kashinath was reaching the highest point in the spiritual achievement. During
this period, Baba took away all the money from Kashinath, by asking Dakshina from
him repeatedly. So he had no money left with him. Soon his clothes became rags,
but Baba never allowed him to put on any new clothes sent by his relatives. Baba
was teaching him practically the meaning of Baba’s statement, "What man gives never
lasts; what God gives never wears out."
On the Gurupurnima day in July, 1913, Chandrabai Borker, a devotee of Baba, on Baba’s
advice, went to Khandoba temple to worship Kashinath the way Baba was being worshipped.
This lady was very stubborn in her approach and started worshipping Kashinath with
all the puja material. Kashinath did not like and refused to be worshipped. But
Chandrabai was firm and told him that even his body, which he thought was being
worshipped, did not belong to him. From that day onwards Kashinath
became Upasani Maharaj due to the blessings of Baba whose Grace installed him as
a Guru even though his 4 year period of novitiate with Baba was not over. Then onwards,
Upasani Maharaj started having visions and became a spiritual Guru. One day he saw
himself standing at some place in the universe and saw the whole cosmos including
the sun, moon, sky revolving.He then felt that the whole world was illusory and
that he, as a soul, was outside the world. Thus he attained a higher stage in his
spiritual pursuit. He also acquired some spiritual powers.. Baba gave spiritual
training to Kasinath through a number of visions which over a period of time brought
about the required changes in him. One important vision is stated below and in that
vision,. Kasinath entered a house in which Baba was sitting inside and beckoned
to him for the purpose of giving instructions by way of a whisper into his ear.
But when Baba was about to do so, a dark counterpart of Kasinath pulled him away
and prevented him from hearing Baba's instructions. Baba gave number of warnings
to his counterpart and then beat him and finally burnt him on a pyre. At this stage
Baba said that Kasinath was free of sins by then. Baba also said, "You will yourself
understand without a word from me. Thus, he got converted into a Guru. Thereafter,
while sitting in the temple, he would describe everything that happened in the mosque.
He also knew the innermost thoughts of all and their past, present and future. Thus,
Baba converted him into a Guru. Suddenly in July 1914 he left Shirdi stealthily,
assisted by Dr.Pillay and Ganapat Rao of Shinde and went to Shinde, Nagpur, Kharagpur
and other places and wherever he went, he observed that he was being worshipped
despite his dislike. People started performing puja and sought his advice on several
matters. People started following him and had arranged poor feeding, reciting kirtans.
A number of miracles started happening around him. After staying for about a year
in Kharagpur, when people tried to build a permanent abode for him, he quickly left
the place. Soon he reached Nagpur, where also, people surrounded to have his darshan.
After two months of stay at Nagpur, he moved to Poona and also went to his home
at Satana. Then he returned to Shridi and stayed at Khandoba temple for about seven
months. Thereafter, he left for Rahata and Ahmedabad for some time and then returned
to Shirdi for the third time and stayed for about two to three months. In 1917,
he finally went and settled at Sakori and started functioning as a Guru.
He visited Baba in 1915 and 1916. He finally settled in Sakori in 1917 and Sakori
is a village a few miles away from Shirdi. From 1917 onwards, Upasani Baba started
functioning as a Sadguru in Sakori. Mervan Sheriar Irani (who became later Meher
Baba) got enlightenment at Sakori in 1921 under the guidance of Upasani Baba and
became Mejer Baba from 1922. Shri. Meher Baba was a disciple of Upasani Baba. Meher
Baba later wrote a book, "God Speaks", containing his life story and his association
with Upasani Baba.
Upasani Baba reached the pinnacle of fame during 1927-28. His fame was so great
that people had to wait for one full day to have his darshan. Even Mahatma Gandhi
approached him in 1927 to seek his blessings for national welfare. Upasani Baba
visited Bombay in 1930 and at that time there was a mass darshan where he performed
some miracles with the Grace of Sai Baba. His fame was in tact so long as he followed
the views and principles of Sai Baba His fame started declining from 1936. And for
some time, he had to face even legal hurdles from the Government. Sakori today is
a great spiritual center where devotees receive great inspiration and training along
the principles laid down by Sri Upasani Baba Mahraj. Sri Upasani Baba attained Samadhi
on 24th December, 1941. A big Samsthan took shape in Sakori to meet the needs of
the seekers who go there for spiritual enlightenment. The Kanya Kumari Sthan(monastery
for lady-priests) is the unique contribution of Shri Upasani Baba. It is a great
experiment in harnessing the female Shakti and has given a new dimension to spiritual
endeavors. The virgin girls at a tender age were selected for the purpose of being
initiated in a comprehensive training in Sanskrit and in memorizing and reciting
the Vedas and other ancient Scriptures and they were also expected to imbibe the
traditional spiritual philosophies of our ancient culture and civilization also
perform puja and yajnas. He carved out an arduous program by which the young girls
would remain absorbed in the contemplation of the Divine thoughts. Gradually, the
Sthan achieved the triumphant revival of the old Vedic atmosphere when women took
a leading part in the spiritual regeneration of the country. This daring and courageous
departure from the old orthodox customs of debarring women from religious rites
and spiritual progress brought down a storm of criticism against him and his persecution,
but with his courage and spiritual power, he was able to
overcome all the ignorant criticism. But the credit of upholding Shri Upasani Baba’s
ideals in all their immaculate purity and strength goes to his radiant successor,
Sati Godavari Mataji who ably managed and maintained the Sthan with all the dignity
and transcendental stature. Also visit the paragraphs about Sakori below. Among
the apostles of Baba the most prominent was Upasani Baba. Baba went all out to make
him an ideal disciple and to bestow on him all his powers. He even went to the extent
of asking some of his devotees to worship him as they worshipped Baba. But Baba's
aim did not work and Upasani left Shirdi after three years and 19 days while Baba
wanted him to stay in Shirdi for four years to get the full benefit of his association
with Baba. In 1918, when Shirdi Sai Baba left his mortal coil, Upasani Maharaj was
in charge of Baba's last rites as his chief disciple.
During Feb, 1912, Upasani Baba composed a prayer of several hymns on Baba the first
verse of which is as follows: Baba is the original Sat Chit Anand Swaroop, the primordial
cause of original existence and destruction of the universe. Baba is appearing as
a human being as the outcome of the ardent desire of his devotees to see him as
such. In the eighth verse Upasani Baba says: "Sai Baba is the unborn, the veritable
Brahman." The famous “Shri Sainath Mahima Stotra” (Sada nimba vrukhashya...........)
composed by him in Sanskrit at the time of installation of Baba's padukas in 1912,
highlighting the greatness of neem tree and Baba's powers, is always being recited
daily during Arati time in Shirdi.
Sakori: During 1917 Upasani Maharaj laid the foundation for establishing Shri Upasani
Kanyakumari Sthan or a hermitage for the spinsters meant to enable young Bramhacharins
girls (spinsters) to learn Sanskrit and Vedas as well as to perform all the ritualistic
functions according to Vedas and Upanishads. The participation of women in such
functions was hitherto prohibited. The Sthan is situated at Sakori, about 6 KMs
from Shirdi, in a quiet and calm village.This is actually a hermitage for spinsters
to learn Sanskrit language, Vedas, Upanishads and perform yajnas or homas/sacrificial
religious ceremonies with offerings to fire. It is equipped with modern amenities
like mandaps, rooms for residents and guests, surrounded by little gardens. It was
a haven of equanimity and purity with an atmosphere charged with positive vibrations.
This ashram/hermitage stands as a proud monument of spiritual inspiration, a mighty
creation of a simple
ascetic who dared to elevate women to higher levels of spiritual growth and freedom
and who proved that the women also could perform religious rituals on par with the
men. This was an ideal and a revolutionary scheme started or kindled by Upasani
Maharaj. The credit goes to him.
The first disciple of Upasani Maharaj was Godavari Matha who was admitted to the
ashram when she was 10 years old. She was from Shegaon (the residence of Saint Gajanan
Maharaj), Akola District in Maharashtra and was born in 1914. Upasani Maharaj appointed
her as his spiritual successor before attaining samadhi in Sakori. Godavari Matha
attained samadhi on 11th of August 1990. She named no successor. Samadhis of Shri
Upasani Maharaj and Godavari Mata are within the ashram premises. There is a yagna
mandap. Yagnas were performed seven times in a year during all major Hindu festivals.
Lord Ganesha visage or appearance which appeared on its own on a tree miraculously,
can be seen. Devotees can worship the visage and their wishes are fulfilled. Dattatreya
temple is located opposite the ashram.
In December 1915, a young boy from Pune by name Mervan Sheriar Irani came to see
Upasana Baba. Earlier Mervan was kissed by Hazrat Babajan who was God realized and
thereafter there was a thorough spiritual change in his approach. After this incident,
he came and saw Upasani Baba when he was sitting naked near the Khandoba temple.
Upasani Baba welcomed Mervan by throwing a stone at Mervan, hitting Mervan on the
forehead exactly at the place where Babajan had implanted a kiss. Mervan started
bleeding and prostrated before Baba. Only Masters know their peculiar ways. This
type of welcome from Baba left those who accompanied Mervan, in great shock and
surprise, but Baba and Mervan both were unaffected. Then Baba greeted and embraced
the bleeding Mervan and took him inside the Khandoba temple where they stayed together
for two days in solitude. This welcome gift of Upasani Maharaj brought Mervan down
to the world of duality, which he had lost after the kiss from Babajan. Mervan became
a disciple of Upasani Maharaj and later on visited and stayed at Sakori on several
occasions. Mervan also visited Sai Baba of Shirdi. He got enlightenment at Sakori
in 1921 under the guidance of Upasani Baba and became Mejer Baba from 1922. Meher
Baba later wrote a book, "God Speaks", containing his life story and his association
with Upasani Baba.