In Memory of Baburao Pehelwan

Baburao Pehelwan

(1915 - 2008)

Baburao Pehelwan, a devoted sevite and bhakta—a servant and lover of God—who served the Gurus of the Siddha Yoga lineage for the last seventy years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 13th , at 4:00 am at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 92. Lovingly known as Baburao Kaka, he had lived in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the Siddha Yoga ashram in Ganeshpuri, India, for nearly four decades.

Baburao Kaka played a key role in the development of Siddha Yoga music, teaching the devotional songs known as bhajans to generations of Siddha Yoga students. He also wrote some of the chants that are sung in Siddha Yoga ashrams and meditation centers today, including Shri Gurudeva Sharanam (My Guru Is My Refuge).

In the 1930s in Yeola, Baburao Kaka was a founding member of the bhajan mandali, a company of young singers and musicians organized by Baba Muktananda. With the bhajan mandali, Baba used to lead the town’s young people in ecstatic chanting processions and travel to other towns to lead bhajan sessions. After Baba Muktananda received shaktipat in 1947, he withdrew to a hut in the nearby hamlet of Suki. During this time, Baburao Kaka would walk from Yeola each day to serve Baba as his attendant. In Play of Consciousness, Baba writes of Baburao Kaka’s service and of the role he played at this crucial time in Baba’s own sadhana. Baburao Kaka lived for another twenty years in Yeola as a weaver of silk brocade saris and turbans. During these years, both his wife and son passed away. In 1968, he moved to Baba’s ashram in Ganeshpuri, what would later become Gurudev Siddha Peeth, where he lived for the rest of his life.		Baburao Kaka, standing in front of a garden at the ashram that is now Gurudev Siddha Peeth - 1958

Baba Muktananda taught Baburao Kaka to sing Shri Guru Gita, instructing him to teach this sacred text to several young people in the ashram before it was introduced as an ashram chant. Thus, Baburao Kaka played a key role in establishing Shri Guru Gita in the ashram’s daily schedule. After Baba’s passing in 1982, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda encouraged Baburao Kaka to mentor ashram young people, honoring him as one of the respected elders of the global Siddha Yoga community.		Dancing with bells on his ankles to the music of the Yeola Brass Band – early 70’s

Each day, long before dawn, Baburao Kaka used to create rangolis, the traditional sand paintings that greeted visitors at the ashram’s entrance. Following Gurumayi's guidance to mentor others, he taught students how to design these beautiful paintings. For him, the most important aspect of creating rangolis was bhava, being absorbed in deep devotional feeling. Traditionally , performing charitable works or making a financial contribution in memory of the departed soul of a loved one brings merit to the departed soul. In celebration of his great life of service and devotion, Siddha Yogis who wish to ,may make a donation in Baburao Kaka’s name to support Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the ashram that he loved and served. Cheques, drafts or money orders may be made out to Gurudev Siddha Peeth, with a separate cover letter indicating the purpose, and mailed to Gurudev Siddha Peeth, P.O. Ganeshpuri, Thane District, Maharashtra, PIN 401 206, India. To make a contribution by credit card, please contact the Yashodeep Office at 02522-261600, extension 2288 or 2289.		Creating a rangoli in early morning at the ashram entrance – mid 80’s Sitting in Gurudev Siddha Peeth - March 1992

Photos from the Shakti Punja archives

Baburao Pehelwan (1915 - 2008)

Baburao Pehelwan

(1915 - 2008)