Prof. K.V. Belsare

Late Prof. Keshav Vishnu Belsare, lovingly known as “ Baba ” was a great apostle of shree Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj in the recent times.

Birth and Childhood

Baba was born on 8th February 1909 in a middle class Maharashtrian Brahmin family. They lived in the city of Secunderabad close to Hyderabad.

The Belsare family, especially Baba’s parents, were highly educated. Baba’s father, Vishnu Anant Belsare, was the Judge of Secunderabad District Court. They were deeply rooted in the Hindu culture, hence, although highly educated, they were a bit orthodox in their way of life. As a result, children in the family were raised in a very disciplined environment and were not allowed to do many things their friends could. However, there was no restriction on pursuing education, academics and arts. Baba’s family had a large collection of books on varied subjects in different languages, written by many authors. Children were encouraged to read those books of which, Baba had read many, a number of times at a very young age, as a result of which, pursuit of education and knowledge became one of the core values of his life!

Baba’s father, paternal grandfather and paternal aunt used to chant the “ram-naam” japa which also influenced him greatly.

Since childhood, Baba was physically lean but healthy. He was the bright child who had lots of questions in his mind on “life” in general and on the phenomena of “death” in particular, consequently on “human existence”. An adolescent Baba, had an urge to go to the battlefields to see the dead to find answers to some of his questions.

Although, as a young boy Baba liked to read on various subjects including literature, his natural inclination was towards mysticism and spirituality. He was naturally attracted to scriptures such as “Shri Bhagwat Geeta”, “Shree Das Bodh”, “Shree Dnyaneshwari”. He did not like to read Fiction, but he liked the old classics and masterpieces by great authors, playwrights and poets. As a young boy, he had memorised 700 verses of Bhagwat Geeta merely in a week’s time.

In those days Baba happened to meet one of the greatest sages of his times called Bhatji Bapu, who resided in Hyderabad. Bhatji Bapuji was very fond of little Keshav and had prophesied about him that he will become a saint in his later life.

Youth brought changes in Baba’s mind and body. He became an intense, aggressive and an impatient young man. Naturally, the outside environment including that at home started affecting him deeply. The autocratic rule of Nizam in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and the anti – British freedom movement of India affected him a lot in particular.

Like other patriotic fellow Indians, he too hated the British rule and had a strong desire to actively participate therein. For some time, Baba attended meetings held by some of his revolutionary friends, who primarily conspired to kill the British officers.

Baba left home to pursue revolutionary activities two times, causing a break in his formal education. This was not appreciated and taken well by his family and society. These things caused him a lot of pain in the loss of his pride and rejection from the society.

After returning back home, he fell ill and found himself mentally exhausted as a result of the struggle. Negative thoughts overpowered him and he found no way out of the depression. Right then he happened to read verses from the great scripture “Shree Dasbodh” which meant, one who toils hard tastes real success. That changed his mind.

Baba resolved to study hard and acquire knowledge. To calm his mind, he started meditating, mainly chanting the Mantra either ‘OM” or “Shree Ram”. He was studying Science at that time. One day while chanting the Mantra, he had a clairaudience, “study Philosophy !”. Those words impacted his mind deeply. He decided to change the course of his education from Science to Arts and take up Philosophy. At last, much against the wishes of his elders in the family, Baba came to Mumbai and joined Elphinstone College, Mumbai for further education in Arts.

Baba often used to discuss “revolution” in his discourses. Having had the experience himself, he used to quote the great saint J Krishnamurthi who always said, “the only revolution is the inner revolution.” Baba himself was a perfect example of this quote, who truly believed in it.

“Philosophy” suited the subtle introspective mind of Baba. While studying, he delved deep in the subject. He read carefully, reread till he understood clearly and made notes. He always used to do reflective thinking on any subject that he studied.

He naturally had a rational mind with a clear and logical style of thinking. Science and Logic appealed to him from the beginning. To clarify his concepts he studied Logic. His studies also encompassed various other subjects such as Biology, Sociology, Mathematics, History, Geography, Astrology, Poetry, Drama, Humour and like which broadened the horizons of his information and knowledge.

While studying Philosophy, he included in his studies the Eastern and Western philosophies with all the available literature so as to learn the similarities and the differences therein. Baba studied Buddhism, Sufism as well as Bible alongside the Hindu concept of spirituality.

He studied Mysticism and Spirituality mainly through “Brahma Sutra Bhashya” by Shree Adi Shankaracharya, Shree Bhagwat Geeta, Shree Dynaneshwari and other works of Indian saints like “Gatha” by Saint Tukaram, the “Bhagwat” by saint Eknath. He remained a student all his life which was the reason he was an ocean of knowledge.

He had an extraordinary focus and concentration. His memory and grasping power were strong. He had mastered the art of multiple attentions. He could very easily understand the gist of a book by scanning through the pages in little time. Whatever he read stayed in his memory permanently.

He was well organised in all the aspects of his life from studies to personal life. His handwriting was bold and clear depicting his personality and the depth of his knowledge. He could easily establish links connecting unrelated subjects.

Baba was a professor by profession. He also worked as a teacher of “English” at Balmohan Vidyalaya School at Dadar, Mumbai for initial 10 years. Thereafter, he worked as a professor of Logic and Philosophy in Siddharth college of Arts & Science in Mumbai.

Baba always prepared himself well before every class, a habit he continued forever in his life. His lectures were extraordinary, so his classrooms overflowed with students not only from his own class but from the other divisions and from other colleges as well.

Siddharth College was founded by Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar. Most of the professors and staff including the principal of the collage was in awe of Baba for his knowledge, clarity, simplicity and teaching excellence. Many expressed their respect to him by touching his feet.

The great intellectuals and visionaries of his times, Veer Savarkar, Dr B R Ambedkar, great philosopher and guide, Prof. R D Ranande, Prof. Seal of the Cambridge university adored Baba. They had deep conversations, debates and shared the stage for public speeches and events also many times. They appreciated him not only for his intellect and knowledge but also for his virtues as a human being!

Baba was mere 20 years old when he met Shree Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj in 1931. As if a spell was cast, Baba lost his heart to Shree Maharaj in the first meeting itself. Initially Baba was attracted to Shree Maharaj as he realised, Shree Maharaj knows the future. But gradually, Baba was mesmerised by the warmth, unconditional love and wisdom of Shree Maharaj. Shree Maharaj was equally fond of Baba and had asked him to visit regularly. Many a times Shree Maharaj used to have dialogues specially with baba which caused a heartburn to many of his contemporaries.

Shree Maharaj identified the spiritual potential in Baba and gradually carved out a fine “sadhak” from him. Under the divine guidance of the Master, Baba’s real spiritual journey began, the practice of meditation called the “Naam- Sadhana”. Through the practice of meditation and the true virtues of life for decades, Baba revolutionised his mind and his life completely!

Baba’s personal power was in his surrender to his Guru, his Master Shree Maharaj! In his life, he gave supreme value to Shree Maharaj and decided to live his life on his behest. He held every word of the Master as ultimate truth, which gradually unfolded and revealed to him the deeper and real meaning of mysticism, spirituality, philosophy and life in general. Shree Maharaj always held that Philosophy must emerge from real life and not from any books or theories. Baba agreed to it completely and considered life to be the real teacher. “ Athato Jeevan Jidnyasa” he asserted many times in his discourses (The sentence is in Sanskrit). Baba led a simple and chaste life. He maintained purity of his mind and body.

He used to wear neat, clean and simple white clothes. He ate simple food in limited quantity. His “sadhana” (practice of meditation) was the most important in his life for which he sternly disciplined himself. He never compromised on his “sadhana”, yet fulfilled all his duties at work and at home with utmost care and responsibility.

Complete devotion to the cause is the precondition to success. Baba always used to say, “Put your whole soul into it”. He practiced till perfection before he preached. Baba evolved speedily on the way of spiritual attainment and always credited his Master for it. The Master too graced him, one of his most sincere and devoted disciple.

Baba wrote his autobiography, “Anand Sadhana” on the instructions of Shree Maharaj. He has described real and transparent account of his life and his spiritual journey. Through his autobiography, Baba has presented a spiritual journey making himself a “subject”. This book is meant for the common man, not just for scholars. It is an inspiration and guiding light to those on the path of enlightenment. His sincere, heart warming story has been changing hearts and transforming lives of people for past so many years.

It is no wonder that not only his own Master but also other great saints and great “Sadhaks” loved him. When professor Dr R D (Gurudev) Ranade, met Baba, he exclaimed, “What a fine man he is!”

Personal life

Baba’s personal life was as simple as anyone else’s. He faced he difficulties, problems and worries of a common man. He faced them with courage and calm.

His wife Mrs Indirabai was a loving companion. She was intelligent, educated, cultured, and well behaved. She too liked to live a simple and chaste life like her husband. Her simple and clean character made her popular in the society. Her faith in Shree Maharaj matched that of Baba’s. She was Baba’s companion in each and every aspect of his life including his spiritual journey. Her smile and optimism never faded even as she faced rough times with her husband.

She was not only a life partner, but a loyal friend and a great support to him. She was an ideal wife!

Baba’s only son Shripad and his daughter in law Mrs Shobhana loved and served Baba and Aai their entire life. They continue to carry forward Baba’s work till date. Shripad and Shobhana are idols of devotion to elders.

Baba’s family life was a fertile ground for the humongous spiritual and social work that he was destined to do.

Under a serious exterior, he was a family man who loved each and every member in the family including the pet cat. He took keen interest in everything small or big, rather he always led from the front.

He was the decision maker in the family who took responsibility of each and everything. He contributed to the daily household chores and took responsibility of routine tasks such as buying groceries, dropping the grand-daughters at school. He did not even mind washing the dishes or helping in the kitchen whenever needed.

He consulted Shree Maharaj before taking even small or inconsequential decisions. He always considered what the Master liked or disliked while living his day to day life and trained his family to do the same.

He liked to do each and every thing neatly, with perfection and with a sense of beauty. He liked everything that was original, authentic and sublime. He loved to listen to Indian classical music. He often listened to bhajans sung by great classical singers but never let his mind be lost in it.

He was the soul of the family but Shree Maharaj and the divine “naam” were the soul of his life.

Baba has made immense contribution to spirituality, to spiritual seekers at large, to the people who follow Shree Maharaj and to the younger generations who will be curious to walk on the path of self realisation. His guidance is extraordinary for a sincere seeker because there are many who will tell what spirituality is but, only a handful who will lead you on the path with self example !

Shree Maharaj ordered Baba to discourse on the legendary scripture “Shree Dynaneshwari” in the very first meeting in year 1931. Since then, each and every piece of work Baba undertook was only on the instructions of Shree Maharaj. Initial discourses comprised of reading out verses from “Shree Dnyaneshwari” and explaining their meaning to the audience. As years passed, each lecture became a masterpiece of its own.

As ordered by Shree Maharaj, baba discoursed on spirituality for nearly 60 years and wrote more than 50 books on the subject.

A combination of extraordinary intelligence, hard work, infinite knowledge, undying faith in one’s Guru, complete submission and intense spiritual practice are qualities rare to be found in one man. Baba had all these qualities, and one can say with certainty that he was the messenger of Shree Maharaj.

“Put people on the path of “Ram naam” and re-assure them” were the final instructions that he received from Shree Maharaj. He lived his entire life living these words. He guided innumerable people and put them on the path of spiritual evolution.

He had large number of visitors everyday. He received each one of them whole heartedly but never lost sight of his “sadhana” and writing. He gave discourses on the most celebrated Indian scriptures, “Shree Dnyaneshwari”, “Shree Dasbodh”, “Changdev Pasashthi”, “Narad Bhaktisutra”, “Yogavasishthya” and other works in his lifetime. His audience comprised of all sections of the society. In these so called modern times of scientific advancements and diminishing faith, he made spirituality easy to understand and practice for the masses.

His discourses were full of master knowledge, self experience, real life stories, meaningful examples and even humour which struck cord with the common man’s sensibility. The wisdom and knowledge in his discourses are perennial, applicable to any society, to any age and to any slice of time. His books are not mere theoretical explanations or philosophical discussions, but are, the culmination of his own spiritual evolution.

Shree Maharaj used to say, that changing the moral fibre of the society by bringing about a spiritual revolution is the highest form of social service. In this context, Baba’s service to the humanity is the highest and par excellent !

Baba’s life was thoroughly engulfed by Shree Maharaj. From a young revolutionary, he was transformed into a spiritual master by Shree Maharaj.

Shri Bhatji Bapu’s prophesy came true!!

Baba counted himself an ordinary man, one amongst all but in reality he was a sage, a true “Sanyasin”. He renounced everything, including himself at the feet of his master, to the japa of “Ram naam”, in the service of men till the last breath of his life.

His life is a true reflection of Shree Maharaj. Like “guru” like “shishya” !

Shree Maharaj said, ‘like an aged father who waits for his son to grow up and take the burden of responsibilities off him, he waited for Baba to arrive and assume the reigns from him’.

Shree Maharaj handed over the baton of his work to Baba as he riped.

Shree Maharaj’s beloved baba, breathed his last on 3rd of January 1998 but through his contribution he left a treasure for us that will last generations.

He shall live in our hearts forever !