But the time had come for Maharaj to leave his cage for good to greet a fair flower of his garden who was about to come to him.
Drawn to spirituality from childhood, Godavri Vasudev Hatavalikar was only nine years old when she first came with her parents to Sakori around 20 February 1924 to pay homage to the Sadguru. Immediately, to the amazement of all who witnessed this occasion, on seeing this little girl, Upasni said, "My child, you will soon assume the responsibility of looking after everything here. All this belongs to you."
For a while Godavri's family stayed in Sakori. One day during this first visit, the little girl came to see Upasni and innocently climbed onto his lap. Someone had just finished performing the puja ceremony to Upasni and had garlanded him with flowers. The Master removed the garland and placed it around the girl's neck, astounding his devotees. Godavri had been a child bride; however, after a few years, Godavri's husband dramatically renounced the world and offered her at Upasni Maharaj's feet — thus enabling her to permanently join Upasni's ashram where she became his foremost woman disciple.
In March 1925, Upasni Maharaj went to Shirdi with some of his devotees. This was the first time Upasni had visited Shirdi since Sai Baba had dropped his body six and a half years before. There Upasni was accorded great reverence and honor as he was led to Sai Baba's tomb. Upasni, tears rolling down his cheeks, reminisced about his times with Sai Baba. He circled Sai Baba's dhuni and returned to the Dwarkamai Mosque. At the mosque, people took Upasni's darshan and sang the arti which had been sung when Sai Baba was alive. Upasni bowed at the tomb of Sai Baba, and he himself led the singing of another arti. Upasni walked to every spot connected with the work and memory of his Master. Finally, he sat down under a tree near the Khandoba Temple and wept for a long time. No one could grasp the reason for his weeping, but for those who witnessed this touching and unforgettable scene, his tears were Wine which bathed their hearts.1
Age knew that Maharaj's every action — his every word — was solely for the upliftment and benefit of humanity.
Hindu temples, great and small, sprang up around Upasni's seat and Sakori became Upasni's permanent place of residence.
Footnotes
- 1.Although Upasni was Sai Baba's chief disciple or chargeman, he visited Shirdi only one more time, ten years later on 14 April 1935, when again he was welcomed with the utmost reverence.