Shri Amburao Maharaj
A Brief Life Sketch
Janma (Birth)
Sept 21, 1857Jigjivani, Bijapur DistrictBhadrapad Sh 9, Shake 1779
Anugrah (Initiation)
April 1892Siddheshwar Temple (2 p.m.)Chaitra Sh 15, Shake 1814
Niryaan (Samadhi)
Dec 22, 1933FridayPoush Sh 6, Shake 1855
Shri Amburao Maharaj alias Shri Baba was a premier disciple of Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj of Umadi, as well as a senior spiritual brother of Shri Gurudev Ranade. He has been aptly described as "faith incarnate", "penance resplendent", as well as "a flute singing the spiritual glory of his Master."
Birth and Early Life
Shri Amburao Maharaj was born in 1856 in a poor yet pious and devout family at Jigjeewani, a village in Indi Tahasil of Bijapur District. Baba lost his parents-Shriniwasrao and Radhabai-in his early age and was left to the care and protection of his elder brother, Gopalrao.
Brief Respite and Despondency
In due course of time Baba was married to Ahalyabai and felt quite happy in his family life. Jealous God did not allow him to love his wife and daughter for a long time. He snatched away from him his wife and daughter, one after another. The untimely separation of the life-partner in such a youthful age told much upon Baba's mind. He looked extremely disappointed and dejected.
Sudden Conversion
Baba took his bath early in the morning, started for Nimbargi on foot and reached there about an hour before noon. From the talk of the people there, Baba also came to know that the gentleman was none else but Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj. He readily poured his agony before Shri Maharaj, related all the painful incidents and humbly sought his guidance. Shri Maharaj, then, showered his grace on him, initiated him through the medium of his spiritual brother, Bhaurao of Savalsang and said: "Amburaya, now go on with meditation on this Nāma".
Intense Sadhana and Illumination
The Divine Name granted to Shri Baba brought about a sudden and great mental transformation in him. He was engaged in meditation for three months in spite of severe eye-sore, by which he was troubled thrice during this period. During these three months Baba had spiritual experiences of a very high order. 'Floods of spiritual lights' enveloped him on all sides and he could not visualise anything else in the external world. As per this advice of Shri Maharaj, Baba since then practised the prescribed-meditation for nine hours every day without fail. He had thus reached the acme of Self-Surrender.
Role as a Sadguru
After the demise of Shri Maharaj in 1914, Shri. Baba was not prepared to initiate fresh aspirants even though Shri Maharaj had given him permission to initiate, as he had then the Super-sensuous experience of audition of the Divine Nāma. Shri Maharaj again appeared in his vision (Drishtānt) and told him. "Rest assured! Your words are my words. Begin initiation".
Thus he continued the holy mission of Shri Maharaj with untiring zeal for about 19 years after the passing away of Shri Maharaj. He left his mortal coil on 22-12-1933 in the same manner as his Sadguru had done. From God he was taken and to God he went.
Book Ref: Shri Amburao Maharaj: A brief Life-Sketch
Author: M. S. Deshpande | Publisher: ACPR