Gajanan-Gunjan - Gajanan Maharaj America Devotees Parivar

1
Gajanan-Gunjan
Appearance
Day Special
Guru Poornima
Special
th
16th18February
2009,
ISSUE
July. 2009,
ISSUE
3 5
Email:
[email protected]
Email:
[email protected]
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Table of Content
Abhivadan (Opening Prayer)
Table of Content
2
Abhivadan (Opening Prayer)
2
Shri Maharaj at Shri Ram Mandir, Akola
By Rahul Gadhe
3
3
Devotee Experiences and Prayers
4
By Mrs Pande contributed through Nitin
Gokarn
4
Contributed by devotees (who do not wish
to be named)
4
Experience 1
Experience 2
4
5
By K Nagraj Bhat, Chitkala Bhat, Nayan Bhat
and Vaishnavi Bhat, Bangalore
5
A Memorable Pilgrimage to Kuravpur
By Shripad Deshpande
6
6
Acts that Liberate Us
By Swami Tejomayananda
(Contributed by Padmaja Joshi)
9
9
9
Appearance of Guru Gajanan Maharaj
By Padmaja Joshi
10
10
How did Maharaj look when He appeared?
10
What were His belongings?
10
What was His behaviour?
10
What were Maharaj’s direct and indirect
teachings?
10
Prakat Din Web Utsav 2009
11
By Gajanan Shegaon Prachar Parivar Yahoo
Group
11
Shree Gajanan Maharaj Aarti
Contributed (with permission) by Rahul
Gadhe
12
12
Shri Varadpande Kaka and Gajanan Parayani 13
Contributed by Rahul Gadhe
13
Puzzles
By Sharada Joshi
Activity 1: Jigsaw
Activity 2: Cross-word
19
19
19
19
Activity: Paint-the-picture
By Sharada Joshi
20
20
Concluding Words
21
ALL obeisances to You, hey Lord Ganesha! O, the
remover of all obstacles and hurdles, all glories
You. Our pranams for the mercy and blessings
given to us for making this endeavor of ours
successful. We are now entering into the second
year and bringing out fifth issue.
HEY Gajanana! Hey Samartha Sadguru Mauli! All
salutations to You. Please accept our pranams.
HEY Mauli, there is nothing unknown to You, the
past, the present, the future. Although many of
Your children are physically miles away from each
other, have been trying to come closer through the
world wide web of satellite communication and
offer various services through webotsav.
WITH Your inspiration, we have made this humble
attempt of providing an E-platform to Your
devotees for sharing unique experiences,
thanksgiving for Your help in difficult times,
entertaining innocent minds, addressing the quest
of younger brains, and publishing useful
information as offerings at Your lotus feet.
HEY Mauli! We tried to bring in as much variety
and many useful contributions as possible. As You
know, we have many faults and shortcomings in
us. Please forgive us for any mistakes and
inaccuracy of information herein. Our only intention
is to force our flickering minds to focus and
remember You, ensure Your continuous attention,
and seek Your boundless mercy. You have been
extremely compassionate towards us. In all
humility, we pray to You for Your blessings to
remain with us forever.
PLEASE continue to accept this service of ours.
Let this platform grow wider and broader as the
Banayan tree in Shri Kshetra Shegaon, under
which You appeared on this very day.
LET this platform be the embarking station for your
devotees so that they can partake in the journey
towards you.
For free circulation only
Page 2
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Shri Maharaj at Shri Ram Mandir, Akola
By Rahul Gadhe
CHAPTER 12 of Shri Gajanan Vijay narrates a story
about Bachchulal from Akola. Once Shri Gajanan
Maharaj visited his place. Maharaj sat on a pedestal
that was in the verandah. Bachchulal offered prayers
and a grand pooja to Maharaj and worshiped Him
ceremoniously. He expressed a wish and saught
blessings of Shri Maharaj for building a Shri Ram
Temple (Mandir).
ON the eve of Deepawali, I had opportunity to take
Darshan of this holy place. I clicked a few photos
with the permission from "Harihar Sansthan, Akola".
I wish to share those photographs on this platform
for the benefit of devotees who have not been able
to visit this place so far.
Photo 1: Shri Gajanana Maharaj at Shri Ram Mandir.
THE pedestal on which Maharaj was seating in that
verandah, is now placed at the same Shri Ram
Temple which was build by Bachchulal. Devotees
have constructed a small Gajanan Maharaj temple in
premises of Shri Ram Mandir and the pedestal is
placed just before the idol.
Photo 3: Shri Gajanan Mauli and the Holy pedestal.
Photo 4: Close-up of the holy pedestal.
May Maharaj’s blessings be always with one and all!
Photo 2: Lord Shri Ram and His younger Brothers.
For free circulation only
Jai Gajanan!
Page 3
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Devotee Experiences and Prayers
By Mrs Pande contributed through Nitin Gokarn
DEAR Devotees, I was travelling to USA with my
husband and my 4 year old daughter on 30th Dec
2008. The day I was about to leave for USA, my
daughter started having some diarrhea like
symptoms. She started complaining of vomiting
sensation just few hours before we left for airport. As
soon as we got onto the plane, she started feeling
very uneasy and after a couple of hours in the flight,
she started vomiting. I got very tensed as it was a
long flight, about 8 hours to Korea and then later on
10 hours to San Francisco. I gave her a medicine
that would stop the vomiting but she would throw up
the medicine as well.
I got very scared and finally turn to the tirtha I had
from Shegoan with me. I gave her a drop of tirtha
and prayed to Shri Gajanan Maharaj that her
vomiting should stop and she should be fine and let
we all reach our destination safely. I also promised
to do one akhanda Parayan.
OUR dearest Gajanan Maharaj answerd my prayers
immediately and my daughter was just fine after that.
She did not throw up even once nor did she
complain about any uneasiness.
I am extremely grateful to HIM for helping me in
crirical times. After reaching, I offered one Parayan
and I hope to fasten my devotion even more in this
new year.
May Shri Gajanan Maharaj be with everyone all the
time.
Jai Gajanan!
Contributed by devotees (who do not wish to be
named)
Experience 1
OUR family ardently worships Shri Gajanan Baba
and believes that behind every move, is His will and
always in our own interest.
was a very busy road, with plenty of vehicles,
ensuring that all passers by inhaled all the dust and
grime within the vicinity. One motorbike passed by
and with its rear wheel came something flying, which
looked like a dried leaf and furiously hit my right eye.
The impact was not so much, but the discomfort that
followed was quite intense. My eye turned blood red
and was watering profusely. I did the first thing that
came to my mind - washing my eyes several times
with tap water. Since the workload in the office was
so much, I was unable to leave my chair and little did
I realize that my eye had swollen up to the size of a
tennis ball. Everyone, including my boss were
terrified, but again I had to carry on with my work, as
I was not sure if I'd be able to attend office the next
day. Everyone who had a look at me gave me an
expression of having seen a ghost! I somehow
managed to pull on till about 4 pm by applying hot
water compresses (dipping my hankie into a glass of
hot water). That day, I was able to leave my
workplace only at 7.30pm.
AFTER reaching home, I went about my usual
chores, after lighting the lamp and an Agarbatti
Incense stick) in front of Shri Baba's photo. Since my
husband was supposed to come home late after
attending a conference and my kids were
preoccupied with something, I decided to sit down
and read one adhyay from the Pothi. This prayer
was mainly for my younger brother who lives in
another town.
He was supposed to have a
presentation with his CEO and I knew how important
it was for him (and in turn for me too). Just after I
completed one adhyay, my brother called to tell me
that his presentation went off very well. All his
seniors came over to congratulate him for the good
job done. I thanked Shri Baba immensely.
AS we got into our usual conversations, I casually
mentioned to him about the incident that took place
that morning (regarding my eye). I told him that I
didn’t want to narrate the incident to my husband or
him in the morning, as it would've unnecessarily
disturbed them. To my utter surprise, he narrated
something, which made me weep; three days prior to
this happening, he had a dream wherein he was
standing in front of Shri Baba's Samadhi at Shegaon
and Shri Baba's "right eye was swollen in the same
manner that had happened with me".
THIS incident happened in the month of October
2008. I was walking to my office from the bus stop. It
For free circulation only
Page 4
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
HE didn’t understand the meaning of the dream
then. But now that I'd told him the day's events, both
of us knew the meaning......Shri Maharaj had taken
the impact of the accident on his own self and saved
me from a disaster that could’ve left me blinded for
the rest of my life.
MY vocabulary fails me and all I can say is "my
family is indeed blessed to have such a Mahaan
Guru as Shri Gajanan Baba".
GURU ISHWAR TAAT MAAY,
GURU VINA JAGI THOR KAAY,
GURU PREMAL, GURU UDAAR,
JADATECHA HARUNI BHAAR
NYAVAYAS PAILA PAAR,
EKMEVA GURU UPAYA,
GURAVE NAMAH, GURAVE NAMAH!
Jai Gajanan!
Experience 2
I wanted to share with all of you, an incident that
happened last Month. The experience is about
ardent devotee based in India. Devotee's whole
family is in Maharaj's seva for the last 20 years. Last
year, devotee's brother unfortunately passed away in
a road accident. He too was an ardent devotee.
When the accident took place, his parents were
performing parayan at Shegaon. It was deadly shock
for the family and many of their friends suggested
that they stop Maharaj's worship. But, their faith in
Shri Maharaj was unshaken and they continued with
their worship and are performing even more Sevas
than they did earlier.
THE devotee was having complications with her
health (w.r.t. pregnancy) for the past few years. She
had 2 miscarriages and also was in grief of losing
her brother.
She was continuously praying to
Maharaj and her faith grew stronger by the day. The
family continued to perform several parayan's at
Shegaon and at home, followed by continuous
Namasmaran (chanting of holy name).
SHE conceived for the third time and when she was
admitted to Hospital for her delivery, the date as told
by doctors was Saturday late night (17th Jan 09) or
th
Sunday (18 Jan 2009) morning. On Saturday
morning, while one of her Guru-bandhus (brothers)
was praying for her for a normal and safe delivery,
suddenly during meditation he saw "Maharaj sitting
next to her and moving HIS hand gently over her
For free circulation only
forehead." This Guru-bandhu was totally unaware
that at that time, his sister was in the labour room
(on Saturday morning itself) and he called her on her
cell phone. Since she was in the hospital, nobody
answered the call. He then asked Maharaj
permission to share whatever he "saw" with her and
lo! This time her mother picked up the cell phone.
The mother was in tears and she said that the
devotee is in Labour Room and in great pain, but
she was confident that Maharaj would take care of
her daughter. He narrated what he "saw" to the
mother.
WITH Maharaj's blessings everything went well and
she delivered a baby girl. After a while, when the
mother narrated to her daughter, about what the
brother "visualized" during his meditation, she was
wonderstruck and overwhelmed with gratitude and
informed her mother that when she was in labour,
she "actually experienced someone stroking her
forehead gently", but she wasn't able to recollect
who the person was.
WHO else could he have been except our beloved
Guru Mauli ?! By Mauli's grace, both the mother and
baby are healthy and doing well. Shri Maharaj's
Krupa (mercy) is beyond our Imagination.
Jai Gajanan!
By K Nagraj Bhat, Chitkala Bhat, Nayan Bhat and
Vaishnavi Bhat, Bangalore
Mere Pyare Gajanan Baba to Koti Koti pranam!
WE dedicate our humble offering at the Lotus feet of
Lord Gajanan Maharaj, our Guru, our God, and to us
everything for giving our family a chance to allow to
offer our prayers at His Lotus feet. We pray Lord to
keep showering His Anant Kripa and give us Selfless
Bhakti and devotion so that we shall be able to
adhere to His preachings for love to all and serve our
fellow brotherhood and society always.
Anant Koti Bramhand Nayak Rajadheeraj Yogi raj
Bhakt Pratipalak Shegaon Niwasi Sachidanand
Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj ki jai.
Jai Gajanan!
Page 5
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
A Memorable Pilgrimage to Kuravpur
By Shripad Deshpande
SINCE Pithapuram is on a proper railway route and
all the contact information is published in
Charitramrut, we didn’t face much problem for it but
still kuravpur was unknown. The helping hand came
from the datta devotee yahoo group who helped us
with all the information about kuravpur and we got
ready for the most amazing journey (yatra) we had
ever done. Now at this point I can say that even
Kashi yatra is very easy but Kuravpur is very difficult
and one has to be fortunate to go there and have a
darshan. Now at this point I can say that even Kashi
yatra is very easy but Kuravpur is very difficult and
one has to be fortunate to go there and have a
darshan.
SHRI Dattatrayas Kaliyuga's first incarnation is
Shripad Srivallabh. His place of birth is Pithapuram
(East Godavari). His land of activity (Karma Bhumi)
& tapsya Bhumi is Shri kshetra Kuravpur, Dist.
Raichur (Karnataka). His work and greatness is
described in Dattatraya's Holy Book Gurucharitra in
Chapters 5 to 10. Shripad Srivallabh, himself is the
lord’s incarnation staying there for upliftment of
people and his behavior made Shri kshetra Kuravpur
a sacred land and holy place. The person who is
fortunate enough to visit the land and take darshan
will experience the calmness.
A few months back one of my relatives told me that
there is a book named “Shripad Srivallabh
Charitramrut“ which recently got published in
Hyderabad and is rarely available in Maharashtra. If
you get time then purchase it for me. While buying it
for them I took one copy for me also. Slowly my
whole family read it, got very much impressed by it
and was very much attracted to visit Kuravpur and
Pithapuram Kshetras. Our search started to look for
the proper way to go there.
For free circulation only
WE just got basic information of major stops on the
route. I took many printouts from google earth and
started journey towards Kuravpur from Hyderabad
by chanting “ Shripad Rajam Sharanam Prapadhye”.
We got prior information from datta devotees that it
is a small island in Krishna River. River flows from
both the sides and there is no bridge. One has to
cross the river in buttes only. There is only one
family of pujari who stays on the island and no other
food and accommodation option is available.
WE took and 10 liters of drinking water, fruits,
vegetables, basic cocking items, puja items and many
other things. My cousin brother, my nephew and my
father accompanied the trip. It was about 2.50 hours
journey from the district headquarter, Mahaboobnagar
of Andhra Pradesh.
Page 6
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
General Section
(English)
MAHABOOBNAGAR is about 2.50 hour journey from
state capital Hyderabad. From Makthal to Kurugadda
(kuravpur) the journey was a bit tedious, as the route
was very small and confusing also. Finally we
reached the Vallabhpuram (Panch Dev Pahad). From
here one has to leave the vehicles and cross the holy
river Krishna in small butties. Even it’s not so simple
to reach kuravpur.
FIRST butti will drop you at the middle portion of
rocks, which you have to cross by walk by carrying
your entire luggage on your back. Then on other side
another butti walas are ready to drop you to Kuravpur
Island. Where again, you need to walk through the
sand of the river to finally get on the island.
BY the grace of lord Shripad we were finally into the
island. After taking the bath into the Krishna Mayi we
went for the darshan for which we were waiting for so
many days and went through a hectic journey. Every
day different alankar puja is offered. We were
fortunate to have the darshan in Shripad avatar
alankar puja.
VASUVANANDA SARASWATI MAHARAJ came to
this place in 1911 (Vaishakh Shukla 6). Maharaj did
his 21st Chaturmas during his stay. A scorpion bite
him when he missed his daily stostra offering prayers
to Shripad Srivallabh is also one of the attractions.
Mandir Utsav and religious rites performed here are a
legacy of Parampujya Vasusanand Sarawati Maharaj.
Parampujya Shridhar Swami had also stayed here. In
the recent times Datta sampradayees Parampujya
Gulavani Maharaj, Rangavdhut Maharaj, Nana
Maharaj Taranekar, Mama Deshpande did Tapasya
at this holy place. A recent period Datta bhakta also
completed the construction work in Puratan
Vatvruksha and Audumbaras, construction work of
Shivaling and caves narrow point; part rooms were
also constructed for "Sadhakas". P.P. Vasudevanand
Saraswati Dharamsala is also constructed. Shridhar
Bhavan constructed work is completed.
KURAVPUR is a famous place of lord Dattatreya. It is
situated in the state of Karnataka in India. The first
incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in kaliyuga is Shripad
Vallabh. The birthplace of Shripad Vallabh is
Pithapuram that is situated in Godavari district of
Andhra Pradesh. He has taken his birth in the family
of Appalaraju Sarma and Sumathi. He performed
penance for about 35 years for Gnana, Vairagya
siddhi at Kuravpur and completed his avatar on
Ashweeja bahula dwadasi (Hastha star) in Krishna
river of Kuravpur. The day is known as
“GURUDWADASI”.
A Rajak devotee donated this holy land. Since it was
donated to a temple priest, it has been called
AGRAHAR Temple, built as per Hemad Pandit Style.
Old Banyan Tree, Audumbar, Gaytri Suryodasana
and Cave where his holiness Shripad Srivallabh has
done Dhyna. Now the cave has been refurnished and
Nirgun Paduka (Foot Print) are kept for Darshan.
Nagarkhana has been built by Shri Tukdoji Holkar.
For free circulation only
Page 7
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
BUT till today he is in sukshma rupa there and giving
indirect darshan to the devotees who are having full
faith in him. This place Is termed as Gurudweepa in
Skunda purana. The purana explained that 28000
yogis and siddhis of Himalayas visited this place and
had darshan of lord Dattatreya. This place was
named as Kuruvalaya in the days of Nizam
government Period. The place is completely
surrounded by Krishna river and is called as Dweepa.
Tembe Swamy Majaraj (Sri Vasudevananda
saraswati) performed “Chaturmasya vrata” here in
year 1911. The disciples of Tembe Swamy, Shri
Rangaavadhootha, Gulavani maharaj also performed
penances here.
General Section
(English)
THE palakhi bhajan and arati all were sung in Marathi
only. Paduka darshan is allowed till 09 am after which
the alankar puja placed. That day we have seen the
Vishnu alankar puja. We took the Prasad at the
pujari’s place. That day I have read couple of
chapters from Gajanan Vijay. The pujari was very
much interested to know about Gajanan Maharaj and
took the pothi inside the Garbha Gruha and did a
small puja of it and handed over it back to me.
AFTER taking the darshan of the 100 years old
banyan tree, Vasudevanand Sarasvati tap cave and
other side by places we came back to the temple and
took some rest.
IT was a time for our return journey. We all were so
much happy with the yatra that we can’t express it at
all. We promised that we would come back again with
all the members from our family. Suddenly we got a
call from home conveying that my sister is blessed
with a baby boy, my father was very much happy and
took it as a prasad of the yatra.
IN the evening after the maha arati the most loving
datta palakhi started. All the datta bhajan from
panchapadi were sung and the palakhi ended with
“Dhanya ho pradkhina sadguru rayachi”; that time all
the devotees offered a sashtang Namaskar to the lord
Shripad.
A white dog followed us from the temple up to the
butti in the riverbed and sat there near the butti. We
all assumed that lord Shripad has sent his sevak to
drop us till the butti and give a see off. His maya is
great. We offer the pranam to the dog and get into the
butti and crossed the river by chanting Shripad Rajam
Sharanam Prapadhye.
EVENTHOUGH the mother tongue of the pujaris is
Kannada, the whole family can speak Marathi very
fluently. This is because the most devotees come
from Maharashtra only. The Datta sampraday is
widely spread and limited to Maharashtra and border
areas only.
For free circulation only
AFTER Kuravpur we came back to Hyderabad and
went towards Tirupati. We covered Tirupati,
Venkateshwar swami, Govindraj, Padmavati temple,
Sri Kalhasti, Kanipakam Ganesha and Vellor
mahalaxmi golden temple. We caught a train from
Tirupati towards Vishakhapatnam to proceed for
Pithapuram.
Page 8
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
PITHAPURAM (the birth place of P. P. Shripad
Srivallabh) is located in the South Central Railway
zone, between Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam at
a distance of 10 Km from Samarlakota Junction.
There were many taxies and autos available at
Samarlakota junction who will take you to Shripad
devsthanam at pithapuram.
WE had already informed the sansthanam about
our visit. After the bath, we took darshan of the
Paduka and the holy Audumbar tree. We visited the
local svayambhu Datta Mandir, Pad Gaya tirth
khetra, Kukuteshwara temple, Pithika Devi temple,
Anagha Datta Mandir and Sri kunti Madhava
temple.
SEE you in next edition of Gajanan Gunjan!
Avadhoot Chintan Sri Guru Dev datta !!!
Jai Gajanan!
________________________________________
Acts that Liberate Us
By Swami Tejomayananda
(Contributed by Padmaja Joshi)
How one is to determine what actions are ordained for
us by the Lord?
AFTER the afternoon Prasad we went to the nearby
station known as Annavaranam; there is a lord
SatyaNarayan temple on the top of the hill. We
came back to the main temple for the evening
Palakhi Utsav and enjoyed it a lot. Here all the
bhajan were sing in local Telugu language.
THE yatra of punya bhoomi of lord Shripad
Srivallabh has touched our heart very closely. I
cannot express in words the existence of such a
place like kuravpur in the world. It is full of holy
vibrations and that’s why is far away from modern
world, that why it is so difficult to reach there. It is
the nabhi ( center ) of Krishna river. I can simply
say that one has to go to Kuravpur at least once in
a lifetime.
For free circulation only
1. Duties that come to us unasked according to our
status in life are to be understood as God sent. Their
performance frees us from personal likes and dislikes.
2. The commands of the scriptures, elders, and
teachers when acted upon liberate us from the
negativities of the mind.
3. When we act according to our God given aptitudes
and capabilities with an attitude of worship to Him, we
get purity of mind.
Jai Gajanan!
Page 9
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Appearance of Guru Gajanan Maharaj
By Padmaja Joshi
How did Maharaj look when He appeared?
He had indescribable aura of tapas around Him like
a rising sun.
His skin had beautiful glow.
His face was very calm.
His arms and neck were very strong, well built and
muscular.
His chest was very wide.
His steady, piercing gaze was focused on the tip of
His nose or between His eyebrows.
He was revelling in bliss and glory of Atma.
What were His belongings?
He was wearing half sweater (bandi) made up of old
worn out rags.
He didn’t have even a stitch of cloth to cover the rest
of His body.
He did not have any worldly possessions, not even
for name sake.
He had dried pumpkin (Bhopla) as a container for
drinking water.
He was holding self made chillum made up of raw
clay.
What was His behaviour?
He did not have any notion of “I” and “You”
differentiation.
He was not afraid of anything.
He did not have any desire.
The sun was scorching down heat and even birds
were hiding in shade, but Maharaj was sitting in that
heat very joyfully.
He was searching through discarded plates to find
morsels of food.
He was putting single grain of rice in His mouth to
indicate Upanishad truth “Anna is Brahman”.
When Devidas brought plate full of various sweet,
savoury delicacies instead of tasting and savouring
them one by one, Maharaj mixed them all together
and ate.
Maharaj did not have any notion of taste, any notion
of likes and dislikes for food.
Maharaj satiated His thirst by drinking water where
animals were drinking water even though Damodar
was brining fragrant water in clean pot.
For free circulation only
When Damodar indicated that it was dirty water,
Maharaj smiled big.
What were
teachings?
Maharaj’s
direct
and
indirect
Direct teachings (From what He said):
• One Brahman is pervading this whole universe.
• There are no differences as “I” and “You” etc.
• There are no differences as “dirty” and “clean”
etc.
• All experienced objects (e.g. water) are
Brahman.
• All experiencers (e.g. the one who drinks) are
also Brahman.
• Properties of all objects (e.g. Fragrant and
unclean) are also manifestation of Brahman.
• There is no difference between experiencer and
experienced objects.
• While keeping this understanding one must take
care of one’s worldly duties well.
• One can truly understand glory of Ishwara only
in this human life.
• Forgetting the purpose of human existence,
currently we have put our mind in worldly things.
• Constantly enquire from where this world has
come from [Lift the mind from the creation (world
of objects); keep it always focused on the
creator (cause of the world)].
Indirect teachings (From His behaviour):
• Tapas
• Vairagya (Dispassion)
• Titiksha (Forbearance, ability to sustain pairs of
opposites like heat/cold)
• Shama, Dama and Uparati (Control over mind
and sense organs naturally)
• Desire-less nature
• Equanimity of vision (no I and You
differentiation)
• Simple living and high thinking
• Yoga for body
• Study of Upanishads
• Meditation
Jai Gajanan!
Page 10
General Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Prakat Din Web Utsav 2009
By Gajanan Shegaon Prachar Parivar Yahoo Group
VARIOUS sevas were offered by devotees during the 21 days Webotsav, which
started on 27th January 2009 and completed on 16th Feb 2009. The details of the
sevas and the participating sevakaris (devotees) are given below.
Japa: Grand total 5,56,456
Devendra Pitre Total 9790
Geeta Kanbur Total 105192
Madhukar Patil Total 4320
maneesha Total 25920
Nitin Warhadpande Total 13392
Padmaja Total 86508
Rupali Vatve Total 1512
Sanket Total 20412
Seema Total 5508
Seema Mudgal Total 66096
Shailaja Deshpande Total 7000
Sharada Total 36288
Shree Total 756
Shripad Deshpande Total 3780
Shripad Deshpande Total 5940
Smt Malti Palamwar Total 120950
Sujata Total 18792
Supriya Kulkarni Total 1080
Vanita Karve Total 23220
Parayans: 22 Individual and 21 group Parayans
Ramkrishna Bankapur
Smt. Malti Palamwar
Girish Kanbur
Gayatri Agarkar
Shree
Nirupama
Seema Mudgal
Jitendra Hassija
Shripad Deshpande
Maneesha
Padmaja
Ms Asmita Jidgekar
Raj S. Joshi
Asmita pandit
Ashish Gumaste
Usha Gumaste
Prachi Pedgaonkar
Shyamala pedgaonkar
Makarand Palamwar
Vilas
Shravan Pande
Punavi Naik
For free circulation only
Aarati offering:
Shripad Deshpande
Vilas
Padmaja
Smt. Malti Palamwar
Thursday Fast:
Shripad Deshpande
Sunil
Sharada
Vilas
Yogita Kashikar
Anna Dan:
Shripad Deshpande
Vilas
Tushar
Gajanan Gunjan:
Sanket
Sharada
Padmaja
Shripad Deshpande
Rahul
Nitin
Nagraj
Bhajan Darbar: Total 129 bhajans
Ayush
Makarand
Maneesha
Meghana
Padmaja
Parag
Rahul
Rahul Gadhe
Renuka
Rishi Mudgal
Sachin Mohaniraj
Shripad
Jay Gajanan!
Page 11
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
General Section
(Marathi)
Shree Gajanan Maharaj Aarti
Contributed (with permission) by Rahul Gadhe
Jai Gajanan!
For free circulation only
Page 12
General Section
(English/ Marathi)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Shri Varadpande Kaka and Gajanan
Parayani
Contributed by Rahul Gadhe
Introduction
SHRI Varadpande kaka was blessed with Maharaj's
Darshan in the year 1948 at Shegaon Station. Then,
after completing Parayan, Kaka met Shri Dasganu
Maharaj at Pandharpur with the help of Shri Pundalik
Bhokare Baba. Shri Dasganu Maharaj gave
ashirwad (blessings) to Kaka for writing Geet
Gajanan which is based on 21 Adhyays of Shri
Gajanan Vijay. The Geet Gajanan has been a great
success and Kaka had already performed more than
12,000 programs on the same. Kaka writes his
composition in name of "Kamalasut" for giving
respect to his mother.
RECENTLY, Shri V. Kaka wrote "Gajanan Parayani"
which is summary of 21 adhyays (Laghu parayan)
and can be completed in 20 mins. Also, with
Maharaj's ashirwad, he also wrote a "Gajanan
Mahanatya" ( similar to one called "Janata Raja " ).
There are approx. 110 artists acting in the Maha
Natya. They have successfully completed 3
(houseful) shows (with more than 10,000 audiences)
at Nagpur and at Wardha.
I met Shri V.Kaka with help of my dear sister. When
Kaka once came for "Geet Gajanan" recording at
Mumbai, he visited my sister's place. When I met
Kaka first time, I'd been to his place hoping to chat
with him for at least 10 minutes (since he has not
been keeping good health and I didn't want to bother
him), but we ended up chatting for more than 2
hours and I felt that I'd literally drifted to another
planet. Kaka shared many wonderful experiences
about Maharaj.
ONE of the experiences shared by Kaka was - Once
he had visited Mumbai for recording bhajans (written
& composed by him). From the time Kaka left
Nagpur for Mumbai, he was having fever. Kaka
For free circulation only
along with his troupe of artists (including his son
Girish)were stationed at a Bungalow owned by one
of his family friends. The group was tired & back late
night after a day long recording. Everyone went to
bed after well past 12 midnight. Since Kaka had
fever, Girish bhau used to constantly check his fever
by touching Kaka's forehead, every now and then. At
about 2 am, Kaka realized that this time "the person
checking his fever" was not removing his hand from
Kaka's forehead. When he opened his eyes, he
realized that it was Shri Maharaj standing next to
Kaka's bed (giving him darshan in the "Viraat roop").
Kaka touched Shri Maharaj's Holy Feet and then
turning to his son and all others, tried to wake
everyone up, so that they may also have darshan.
But, to his utter surprise, in spite of shouting out to
everyone, all of them were fast asleep and none of
them woke up. It was then clear to Kaka that Shri
Maharaj had specially come there to give only to
him. Baba blessed him to carry on with the good
work that he was all along doing.
SHRI Kaka was in touch with Shri Pundalik Baba for
more than 12 years and offered lot of seva (service).
He also talked about Shri Bapuna Kale, Salubai and
Bhau kawar. Devotees can feel strong aura of Shri
Maharaj around him. Kaka has constructed a Shri
Gajanan Maharaj Temple at his residence. Devotees
from all over come and take darshan there.
A part of shri varadpande kaka’s composition
‘GAJANAN PARAYANI’ is presented here following
the introduction to the composer. The rest of pages
will be included in the future issues of GajananGunjan.
Jai Gajanan!
Page 13
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
For free circulation only
General Section
(Marathi)
Page 14
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
For free circulation only
General Section
(Marathi)
Page 15
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
For free circulation only
General Section
(Marathi)
Page 16
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
For free circulation only
General Section
(Marathi)
Page 17
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
For free circulation only
General Section
(Marathi)
Page 18
Youth Section
(English)
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Puzzles
By Sharada Joshi
Activity 1: Jigsaw
PLEASE go to these links and enjoy solving the jigsaw puzzles related to Shri Gajanan Maharaj.
http://www.jigzone.com/gallery/AA250A5EF1.8049523?z=0
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/58141D7CCFF?z=0
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/5A141D74667?z=0
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/B2141D74FCA?m=AA250A5EF1.8049523&z=6
http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/6F141D74B7D?z=0
Activity 2: Cross-word
FIND the following names of Lord Shiva in the chart and mark them.
(1)
(4)
(7)
(10)
(13)
(16)
(19)
(22)
OMKARESHWAR
RAMESHWAR
VISHWESHWAR
KEDARESHWAR
NAGESHWAR
BHIMASHANKAR
TRYAMBAKESHWAR
SOMESHWAR
(2)
(5)
(8)
(11)
(14)
(17)
(20)
(23)
GRISHNESHWAR
MAHESH
ASHUTOSH
PUSHKAR
HAR
TRILOK
BHOLA
AJA
(3)
(6)
(9)
(12)
(15)
(18)
(21)
(24)
VAIDYANATH
RUDRA
NATARAJ
NEELAKANTHA
SHIVA
PINAK
MALLIKARJUN
MAHAKALESHWAR
O
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A
W
H
S
E
L
A
K
A
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A
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Jai Gajanan!
For free circulation only
Page 19
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Children Section
(English)
Activity: Paint-the-picture
By Sharada Joshi
USE your own choice of colours and paint this picture. Name the picture appropriately. If you can, scan the
coloured picture and send it to [email protected] with your name and age. It will be published in the
next issue of “Gajanan-Gunjan” E-magazine.
Jai Gajanan!
For free circulation only
Page 20
Gajanan-Gunjan 2009, No. 1.
Concluding Words
DEAR devotee-brothers and -sisters,
IT is our the greatest pleasure to present to you
this FIFTH issue of our own e-magazine,
“Gajanan-Gunjan” on this very auspicious
occasion of Shri Gajanan Maharaj’s Appearance
Day (Prakat Din), “Magh Vadya Saptami”
celebrated on 16th February 2009.
THANK you for your contributions, support and
patience. This time we decided to honour the
participating devotees in Web Utsav 2009, who
were relentlessly posting their contributions to this
unique Utsav. It was a wonderful feeling to see a
long list of names of all sevakaris and the variety
and the quantum of sevas offered by them.
IT was also delightful to see that many devotees
are coming forward with new ideas and
contributing excellent write-ups to GajananGunjan. As you all may remember, when we first
floated this idea there was a concern of whether or
not we could maintain the target of 21 pages. But,
by Mauli’s grace the “Gunjan” is getting sweeter. In
fact, we were unable to include all contributions in
this issue to maintain the file-size. Thanks to our
beloved Shri Gajanan Mauli and all contributors.
We are certain that our “Gajanan-Gunjan” will
continue to receive the necessary support and
blessings in future.
SOME valuable suggestions were also made by
devotees so as to increase the reach of our emagazine. Shegaon, being in Maharastra, has a
huge following of Marathi-speaking devotees. One
of the requests was to try and bring out a parallel
issue of ‘Gajanan-Gunjan’ in MARATHI for the
benefit of those who cannot read and write in
English. Although, language shall never be a
barrier in devotional service, we are lacking
expertise and support in making this possible. If
anyone wishes to translate in Marathi or Hindi any
of the articles from the earlier editions of GajananGunjan, please go ahead and do so. We will be
more than happy to include them in the
subsequent issues. However, if one can translate
an entire issue, we will bring out a special issue on
that.
HAVING conveyed our thoughts, we would
certainly like to hear from all of you. The idea is to
improve, expand and enrich.
For free circulation only
PLEASE keep sending in your contributions as
well as suggestions for improvement, if any, by
E-mail to [email protected]. We need
more and more contributors to continue with
our e-offering.
YOUR contribution may encompass one or more
of, but not limited to, the following topics:
1) Stories or articles related to Maharaj's life,
Leelas and worship
2) Devotee's experiences
3) Thanksgiving for Mauli's help
4) Poems/ Songs/ Bhajans/ Prayers
5) Paintings/ Sketches/ Photos/ Rangoli
pictures
6) Memorable Shegaon yatras
7) Devotees guide on Parayan, Shegaon
visits, Japa, day-to-day dealings etc.
8) Memoirs on great devotees of Maharaj
9) Food offerings (recipes for Prasadam)
10) Various seva ideas
11) Articles, bhajans, prayers on Lord Rama,
Mother Sita and their pastimes
12) Work related to Shree Gajanan Mauli, and
Lord Rama, Brother Laxman and Mother
Sita
PLEASE encourage children to complete
activities from the relevant sections of the
various issues of “Gajanan-Gunjan” and send
them back to us for publication in future
issues.
Jai Gajanan!
We gratefully acknowledge the original sources of
some of pictures and works used in this magazine
Jai Gajanan!
"Anant Koti Brahmand Nayak Maharajadhiraj
Yogeeraj Parambrahma Satchitanand
Bhaktapratipalak Shegaon Nivasee Samarth Sat
Guru Shree Gajanan Maharaj Ki Jai !!!"
Page 21