Homage to Smt Hemlata Joshi

(Who translated Tulas Amm’s Atmaspuran and Sadguru Sthavan from Marathi to English)

I had a deep desire to get the bhajans composed by Shree Tulas Amma translated from Marathi to English, so that English-speaking devotees could also experience their beauty and significance. In our homes, we have always sung the bhajans written by Tulas Amma. While the aarti written by the late Shri Balkrishna Maskar is more widely known, the Shenoy family has always revered and sung only the aarti composed by Tulas Amma.

Bhagavan Nityananda once said, “The bhajans written by Tulas Amma come from her heart, inspired by the divine experience of her Self. One must sing them daily.” With these words in mind, our family has faithfully included her bhajans in our daily worship of Bhagavan Nityananda.

Tulas Amma’s bhajans glorify her Sadguru, Bhagavan Nityananda. The central theme of her compositions is Guru Krupa Yog, and she describes her Sadguru as the embodiment of Supreme Consciousness. Bhagavan Nityananda once said, “Nityananda is not a name, it is a state.” This profound truth resonates deeply within Tulas Amma’s bhajans.

When I set out to translate these bhajans for English-speaking devotees, I encountered several challenges, and for a time, the project seemed difficult to realize. After praying to Bhagavan for guidance, as He always does, He made it possible in His own mysterious way. I was connected to a devotee named Nidhi, who volunteered to assist in this seva. She, in turn, connected me to Shri Mukesh Tolani, who eventually introduced me to Smt. Hemlata Joshi.

At first, I wondered why Bhagavan had chosen Hemlataji for this seva, as she was primarily a devotee of Shree Mahavatar Babaji and Shree Shirdi Sai Baba. But then I learned that Hemlataji was the great-granddaughter of the Late Nanasaheb Nimonkar, a direct devotee of Shree Shirdi Sai Baba, who is mentioned in the Sai Satcharitra. This explained everything—Bhagavan had chosen someone from such a sacred lineage for this seva!

Hemlataji was also proficient in both Marathi and English, and she had authored several books on Shree Mahavatar Babaji and Shree Paramhansa Yogananda. In this way, Bhagavan orchestrated the translation of Tulas Amma’s bhajans by a devotee perfectly suited for this task. The translations were finally completed, and the book was published in 2014.

As shared by Hemlataji, her family has a deep spiritual heritage, and the honour of hoisting the flag at Shirdi on Ramnavami was given to the Nimonkar family. Even today, this tradition is upheld by her brother.

The Flag that the Nimonkar Family hoist at Shirdi

Shri Nanasaheb Nimonkar and Chandorkar received such wonderful spiritual guidance from Shri Saibaba, Shri Dasganu Maharaj described a remarkable event in his book, “Arvachin Bhakta Va Sant Leela Amrut in four chapters”, about this beautiful relationship of Saibaba, Nanasaheb and Chandorkar. Once, they both went to Shri Sai, bowed with respect at his feet and said to him, “He Sai Maharaja Samartha, Pure ata ha Sansar|

Avaghee Shastre Sansarashee | Nissar ahe mhanati|
Ya prapanchroop Shrunkhaleshee| Todi Satvar Deenbandho| Jojo Sukhache hav dharavee | To to Dukhkhachi Swaree Vavee | Asha Satavi Nachavee | thai thai amhala |
Shodhoo jata Sansarat | Sukhacha na lesh satya |
Amhi Kantalalo tayaprat | Nako Sumbandh tyacha ||

“Shri Sai Maharaja, we are tired of this worldly mundane life. We want to leave this bondage of life. All shastras have described this life as futile, empty, fruitless and insignificant. It does not give any real pleasure, essence and happiness. You help us to break this iron chain of our mundane life as quickly as you can. If one expects more happiness in this life, one gets more sorrow and pain in return! And yet, we are carried away, tempted by false hope and desire. When you try to seek pleasure, you are disappointed to see displeasure and disappointment. It is a play of false and negative experiences. We are fed up with it. We want to discard it, throw it away! Guide us and help us!!”

What was the reaction of Shri Saibaba to this? He listened to the complaint of his favourite disciples started laughing heartily and gave them wonderful advice and guidance. Dasganu described this dialogue very beautifully.

Shri Sai said to Nanasaheb Nimonkar and Chandorkar, “Well, how is it that you have started meditating on this subject today? Why did you feel the need of it? What you say is true. But, it is not the complete truth. Remember very well, that so long as you exist in this world in the physical form, in the physical body, you have certain limitations. You are bound by certain duties, certain feelings, and emotions. You are compelled to observe certain ways of life. Unless you complete the natural responsibilities, how can you reach God? You can not discard this life so long as you exist physically. No one can avoid it. Not even me!

Late Shree Nanasaheb Nimonkar with Sai Baba

Well, I am also caught in this web. I am also engulfed by this ‘Sansar!’ Do you want to know the real truth, the real nature of this Sansar, this worldly life? Listen carefully, “This entire body is the victim of this worldly life. The internal relationship of passions, attraction, laziness, anger and jealousy is also an expression of this worldly life. Your eyes ‘see’, ears listen and absorb the sound. Your tongue enjoys the taste and talks too! This is also ‘Sansar’. Your thoughts, your feelings, everything that is related to your mind is called “Sansar”. The obligations of your duty, your wife, children, family members, the sufferings, and sacrifices that you have to do for them! Everything is included in this Mundane-

life, this Sansar! This is the real nature of this ‘Sansar’. How can you leave it? It can not be broken, it can not be discarded Why? What is the reason?

Smt Hemlata Joshi with the Flag

Then Sai clearly explained further, “What is the reason? Why are you unable to throw it away? Because it is your ‘Creation’. You have created it. It is the result of your own “Sanchita, Prarabodha and Kriyamah”. (Prarabdha – Sanchita and Kriyamana – Fate – Destiny etc. Merit and demerit during some former stage of existence are considered as constituting the occasion of present birth, regulating the allotment to it of physical good and evil. Thus answering both to fortune on the appointer and its portion appointed.)

This physical body is the result of all those acts, that you have done in your previous lives and are performing in this life. It is the effect of your desires, and passions that you have cherished and preserved in life after life. It is connected to you by birth, unless you go through it, and get experiences in the form of good and bad results, you will not be able to reach ‘Moksha the eternal liberation!’ You will not be able to jump to the highest point of the ladder so quickly!”

The wheel of life and death leads to sorrow. But, that also gives you an opportunity to improve, to serve God. It is a corrective measure to improve yourself, to purity yourself. So, be happy with what you have in the present state of your life. Be cheerful, do not run after illusions and false sorrow. Be patient, believe in God and face the good and bad in life!!!

How will you live in your mundane life? What should be your attitude? Sai says further,

“Pari aliya sampatti, apan vave namra ati | Sadhusant sajjan yanche | rakhave man |

Leen vave lavalyahoon tyanche thai sarvada | Apulee praptee pahoon | dandharma Karava janee | Ugeech karja udhalepana karoo naye | Kartavya apan karave | kartutrva Ishvara dyave |

Phalahi tyasach arpave | Alipta Apan rahavaya ||

When you get health, and richness, don’t exhibit pride. Be very humble and modest. Respect the great saints and sages with all your heart. Be very humane, utterly humble more than a watery creeper in front of them always! Give donations, ‘Dan’ as per your ‘Income’. Do not squander money by increasing debts by borrowing money. Be practical. Do you duty honestly. But give the credit to God. Offer the fruits, the results of your actions to God only. You remain detached from the expectation of fruits….!!

Well, with these valuable words, Shri Saibaba gave his most practical, wise and yet affectionate advice and guidance to his two disciples – Nimonkar and Chandorkar. They were pacified and consoled by the great spiritual master! Their ignorance was dispelled, illusion vanished and they realized the true meaning of life! With tears running in their eyes, they both fell on the sacred feet of Shri Saibaba and offered their ‘oblations’ to the Sadguru!! While bowing at the gracious feet of Sai, I also bow with all my heart and feel, “Brahmanandam param sukhadam | kevalam, Dnyanmoortim | Dwandvateetam gagan Sadrusham tatva masyadi lakshyam | Ekam nityam vimamchalam,| sagurum tam namamee…..!!

—Prof. Hemlata Joshi

(Nimonkar- Deshpande)

Late Nanasaheb Nimonkar’s Great Grand Daughter