Baba Maharaj's Divine Connection with
Saint Tukdoji Maharaj
During Saint Baba Maharaj’s school years, Shri Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, who had attained the supreme state of Paramhansa, lived in Arvi. Baba Maharaj’s father developed a deep bond of friendship with Shri Tukdoji Maharaj, a friendship that grew richer with time. The saint would occasionally stay at their home during his visits. Young Baba Maharaj was drawn to this sacred presence.
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Once, when Saint Baba Maharaj was around ten years old, he heard Shri Tukdoji Maharaj’s Khanjari Bhajan for the first time. He was utterly mesmerized. His eyes welled up with tears, his body and vision stilled in profound absorption. The gathered crowd eventually dispersed after the bhajan ended, but Saint Baba Maharaj remained unaware, lost in devotion. It was only when his father called out to him much later that he realized an entire hour had passed.
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"When did the bhajan end, Bhau?" he asked his father, whom he addressed as Bhau at home.
His father replied, "It has been quite some time now."
"And where has Maharaj gone?"
"He has returned to his resting place."
"Can we go see him, Bhau?"
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Hearing this heartfelt request, his father was moved but hesitated, saying, "It’s already eleven at night. It wouldn’t be proper to visit someone so late." Saint Baba Maharaj remained quiet, but the longing within him to meet Maharaj, to speak with him, to serve him, was evident to his father. Understanding his son’s deep yearning, he gently explained, "If it wouldn’t disturb the people there, we would surely go."
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Saint Baba Maharaj, resolute in his devotion, responded, "Oh Bhau, they won’t be disturbed. I am just a child. I will offer my respects, and we shall take our leave in five minutes. Besides, I doubt they are asleep—how can one slumber in the presence of a saint?"
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His father, touched by this innocent devotion, relented. Together, they set out at the late hour of eleven to visit Shri Tukdoji Maharaj. Thus occurred the first divine meeting of young Baba Maharaj with the great saint.
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Throughout his early life, Saint Baba Maharaj had a few such encounters with Rashtrasant Shri Tukdoji Maharaj. One of Shri Tukdoji Maharaj’s disciples, Shri Mohod, recalled an instance:
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"I had accompanied Rashtrasant to Pandharpur, where Saint Baba Maharaj came to meet him. I was present during this meeting, which lasted only five to seven minutes. But in that short time, I witnessed an extraordinary warmth, a deep affection, and a profound mutual respect between the two saints. That moment left a lasting impression on me, and Baba Maharaj’s presence left an indelible mark on my heart."
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Years later, after Rashtrasant Shri Tukdoji Maharaj had left his mortal body, Saint Baba Maharaj invited Shri Mohod to the festival at Machanur. He showered him with immense affection and said, "In your presence, I see Rashtrasant himself!"
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This incident reveals a profound truth: saints are reflections of one another. Their essence is mirrored not only in each other but also in their disciples, where the radiance of their divinity continues to shine.