Shyamrao Jayakar

Shyamrao Jayakar was a painter from Vile Parle, Bombay. He visited Shirdi several times and stayed there for about eight months in 1916 and 1917. He is remembered as the artist who painted Baba from life, and his portraits of Baba are among the best known images of him.

Jayakar first came with a group of friends and gave Baba dakshina when he had money. After the group left, he stayed on with no money at all, and Baba never once asked him for dakshina, knowing his situation without being told. Baba taught him to keep his own guru and mantra, to be pure and truthful, and to treat everyone well.

Jayakar remembered that most people came to Baba for health or money, but he warned that one should not go to Baba for wealth. Though he lost two sons in later life, he said that Baba looked after him and that he was content. His paintings still help devotees everywhere to see Baba as he was.