In 1954, His Holiness Shree Mama Maharaj Deshpande (“Mama”) was granted deeksha, as well as deeksha granting rights, by His Holiness Shree Gulavani Maharaj, one of the foremost spiritual authorities of the ShreeDatta lineage. Mama was so humble, however, that He would never grant deeksha to others on His own initiative out of respect for… Continue reading Mama: The Spiritual Successor of His Holiness Shree Gulavani Maharaj

Dr. Sane was a mere child when he first met Her Holiness Sadguru Matuhshree Parvati Devi Deshpande and His Holiness Shree Mama Maharaj Deshpande (“Mama”). Mama was only 18 or 19 years old at that time and Dr. Sane knew him as just a ‘family friend’. Later,  the two families lost touch and it was… Continue reading Mama: Friend, Philosopher and Guide

My earliest memories as a 2-3 year old child are a source of great joy to me. I remember our small cozy home in the famous Ranade Wada in Pune, my loving family and equally loving neighbors. I particularly remember our neighbor Parvatibai (Her Holiness Sadguru Matushree Parvati Devi Deshpande) who, despite being busy, would… Continue reading The Familiar Sanyasi

The following took place sometime between 1961 and 1964. My mother had just returned home after a wari to Pandharpur. She seemed very excited. “Guess whom I saw during the wari? Well, it was our very own Bagaram! You remember him, don’t you?”, she gushed. “It seems that our Bagaram has become a great saint.… Continue reading Parvatibai and Bagaram