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| Shiridi Sai Baba Bhaktas - Sriman Gopal Rao Booty |
He was a multi-millionaire who
constructed Dagadi (Stone) Wada on Baba's orders which later became
Samadhi Mandir where Baba's Divine Body is now resting with Baba's Idol
installed, perhaps as Lord Krishna.
Shriman Gopalrao Mukund alias Bapusaheb Buty, a wealthy person from
Nagpur, was a great devotee of Baba. He was introduced to Baba by
S.B.Dhumal. He came with his family and stayed in Shirdi to serve Baba.
He was a permanent resident of Shirdi ever since 1910. Baba used to call
Bapusaheb Booty as “Butayya”.
He some times felt that he should buy a plot in Shirdi and construct a house for him for staying permanently in Shirdi. Every day, after the noon Arati, Booty used to take his afternoon meal sitting on the left side of Baba in the masjid.
Once Shriman Bapusaheb Booty suffered from dysentery and vomitting. His
cupboard was full of all types of medicines, but none of them could not
cure. Bapusaheb became very weak due to purgings and vomittings and,
therefore, was unable to go to the masjid for Baba's darshana. Baba then
sent for him and made him sit before him and said, "Now take care, you
should not purge any more" and waving his index-finger, he also said
"The vomiting must also stop". By the force of Baba's words alone, his entire illness suddenly disappeared and he became well.
On another occasion he had an attack of cholera, and suffered from
severe thirst. Dr. Pillai tried all sorts of medicines which could not
give him any relief. Then he went to Baba and consulted him as to what
he should drink to allay his thirst and also asked for the remedy for
curing the attack of cholera. Baba prescribed an infusion of almonds,
walnuts, pistachio (dry fruit), boiled in milk with sugar. Normally this would be considered as something which would aggravate the illness by any doctor or physician, but
he obeyed Baba's orders and drank the infusion so prepared and his
illness was cured immediately. This was quite strange and this became a
miracle—as it was Baba’s desire which cured him and not by the drinking of the infusion.
Once an astrologer came to Shirdi with the idea of placing a book on
astrology into the hands of Baba and wanted to take it back as prasad
from Baba, thinking that he would become proficient in astrology and
reap a good fortune. But Baba after receiving the book, instead of
returning the book to the astrologer himself, he handed it over to Booty
who was sitting nearby and asked Booty to take the book. Booty never
cared to read it, but had a cursory look here and there for a short
time, because Baba gave that book to him. But, after perusal of the
pages in the book, Booty became a proficient astrologer and started
predicting events with utmost precision. Baba did not encourage the motive of the astrologer to earn more money, taking advantage of Baba’s miraculous powers and that was why Baba did not return the book to the astrologer. .
Once while Booty was sleeping in Dixitwada he had a vision in which
Baba asked Booty in the dream to construct a wada in Shirdi with a
temple in it. Shama who was also sleeping in the same wada also had the
same vision at the same time. Booty was surprised and thrilled at
Booty and Shama having had the same and identical vision the same night.
Shama said that in his vision Baba came close to him and ordered distinctly, “Build the Wada with the temple. I shall fulfill the wishes of all.
Hearing the sweet and loving words of Baba, I was overpowered with
emotion, my throat was choked, my eyes were overflowing with tears, and I
began to cry”. Bapusaheb was surprised to see that both their visions were identical.
The vision strengthened Booty’s desire to have a building of his own in
Shirdi and decided to take up the work in right earnest. He then drew
up a sketch plan in consultation with Shama and consulted Dixit. Then
Booty, Shama and Dixit went to the masjid and placed the sketch plan
before Baba who approved it immediately. Then the construction work was
started and Shama was asked to supervise the construction. Then the
ground floor, the cellar and other connected items were completed. Baba
also on his way to and from Lendi observed the progress in the
construction and suggested certain improvements. Further the
responsibility of supervising the work was then entrusted to Bapusaheb
Jog and when the work was going on, an idea struck Bapusaheb Booty’s
mind that there should be an open room/platform and in the centre the
image of Murlidhar, Lord Krishna with the flute, be installed. Booty’s nature was such that he would never do any thing without consulting Baba.
Using the good offices of Shama, Booty then asked Shama to approach
Baba in this matter for his permission. When Shama approached Baba in
this matter, Baba, while giving permission said, “after the temple is complete I will come there to stay” and also staring at the Wada, Baba
continued, “after the Wada is complete, we shall use it ourselves, we
shall live, move and play there, embrace each other and be very happy”
in his usual cryptic manner. Then Shama asked Baba whether this was
the auspicious time to begin the foundation work of the central room of
the Shrine. Baba answered in the affirmative and then Shama broke a
coconut and the work was immediately started. The construction work was
completed quickly and an order was also placed for making a good image
of Murlidhar, Lord Krishna with a flute.
But before it was ready, a new development turned up and Baba became
seriously ill and was about to pass away. Bapusaheb became very sad and
dejected, thinking that if Baba passed away, his wada would not be
consecrated by the holy touch of Baba’s feet and all his money spent on
construction work would become a waste. But Baba before passing away,
expressed “Place or keep me in the Wada” and this had consoled
Bapusaheb Booty and after Baba passed away, as per Baba’s desire, Baba’s
holy body was placed and preserved in the central shrine meant for
Murlidhar and Baba himself became Murlidhar and the Bootywada became the Samadhi Mandir of Sai Baba.
In the site of this Mandir, there was a garden earlier which was watered
and looked after by Baba himself. Sai Baba’s Divine Body is now resting
in this famous Bootywada.
Booty's outstanding service to the Sai Sansthan was remarkable as he
constructed the huge stone building and devoted it entirely for the
Mahasamadhi Shrine of Baba. This stone building was known as Booty Wada. Baba used to refer it as Dagadi (stone) Wada.
The construction, though started in 1915, Baba mentioned about this
construction in 1913 to Narke, son-in-law of Booty and also said that
Narke would administer the management of Bootywada. Every year
dramatic performances and celebrations were held at Shirdi in front of
Chavadi. Bapusaheb Booty would annually donate a large sum of Rs.500
towards the expenses. Many people used to come from the surrounding
villages to witness these celebrations.
A committee was later formed to manage the worship of Sai Baba's
Samadhi, comprising of 15 members with Shriman Bapusaheb Booty as the
Chairman. Booty engaged Dixit to take care of Baba's Samadhi.
Now and then, most devotees spoke and argued with Baba, but only three, viz. Booty,
Noolkar and Khaparde kept always silent in the presence of Baba and the
business of these devotees was only to follow implicitly Baba’s words. They were meek, modest, humble and good-natured.
The responsibility of conducting the Gurupoornima festival was also on
the shoulders of Bapusaheb Booty. Booty did not care for money and was
not after fame.
Booty’s second marriage took place in Shirdi in 1916 which was attended, inter alia, by W.Pradhan.
Booty rendered these services to Baba with utmost devotion and for the
convenience of the visiting devotees. Booty passed away happily in 1921
at Bombay. Thereafter his sons took upon themselves the responsibility
of conducting this festival till 1940, and from 1941, the Sansthan has
been conducting this festival, while the sons of Booty were still
contributing as part of the expenses.
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