Prof G. G. Narke

Ganesh Govind Narke was a highly educated scientist. He earned his M.A. in 1905, trained with the Geological Survey in Calcutta, and studied geology and mining in Manchester, England, returning in 1912. He became professor of geology and chemistry at the College of Engineering, Poona. His father-in-law was Gopalrao Butti, and his wife and mother were already devotees.

Narke first came to Shirdi in April 1913, introduced by Shama. Baba told him he had known him for thirty generations, and joyfully danced when he saw Narke's mother. Once during arati Baba burst into a fierce outburst, and Narke wondered if Baba was mad. That afternoon, while Narke massaged his legs, Baba stroked his head and said, "I am not mad", answering the thought Narke had never spoken.

In 1913 Baba told him that his father-in-law would build a stone building in Shirdi and that Narke would be in charge of it. Years later this came true: after Baba's Mahasamadhi, his body was placed in Butti's wada, and Narke became one of the trustees of the Samadhi Mandir. In 1914, when Baba gave kafnis to several devotees but not to him, Baba stroked his head and said a higher Fakir had not permitted it. Narke once stayed in Shirdi for thirteen months, and he always regarded Baba as God, the inner Self of all.