Nanavalli (Shankar Narayan Vaidya) was an ardent devotee of Sai Baba. He was misunderstood by many persons in Shirdi. There were two factions. One faction respected him while the other faction thought that he was a troublemaker. Nanavalli was an Avadhoota and would do strange acts that annoyed the devotees. He would keep scorpions in his mouth or drink water from the gutter. Sometimes he would slap a devotee on his cheek and at other times he would pick fights with the visiting devotees. Baba would gently rebuke him saying “If you behave like this, devotees will stop coming to Shirdi”. Sometimes he would smear his body with dirt; this amused the children of Shirdi. Then he along with a group of children would go to the Dwarakamai and create a raucous scene.

Nanavalli, Tatya Kote Patil, Abdul Baba and Sai Baba

Nanavalli addressed Baba as Kaka (Paternal Uncle) as Baba loved him a lot. When Nanavalli first came to Shirdi, Baba said “Nanavalli I have put on the lock, and the key is with you. Do not betray me and I will not betray you”. These words of Baba convey the deep bondage that existed between the two.

He took a keen interest in keeping order in the Dwarakamai and would see to it that every devotee got darshan. He was a well built man. He could walk extremely fast or run when chose to. His love and devotion towards Baba was no less than Hanuman’s love and devotion towards Rama.

Insight on Nanavalli by Dr.Vinny Chitluri - Video Courtesy: Shri.Nikhil Kripalani

Nanavalli was a unique and intriguing Sai Baba devotee, who called himself the "General of Sai Baba's army" His background and history are shrouded in as much mystery as Sai Baba's and he was notorious for his erratic and eccentric behavior. Some people were afraid of this man-not only would he carry snakes in his pockets, and scorpions in his mouth, but he would violently abuse and attack certain people for no apparent reason. Others felt him to be a Mahatma, with an outstanding love for Sai Baba. His appearance was wild and disheveled- sometimes he went nude and at others he dressed in old sacking. If we investigate the life of Nanvalli, we uncover a tale of touching and inspiring devotion, and an outstanding model of vairagya (dispassion).As with Sai Baba, little is known about Nanavalli's background. One account says that he was a Brahmin by birth and another that he was born into Muslim family. Sometimes he wore the clothes of a Muslim fakir, and at other those of a Hindu sadhu. Then again like Baba, his religious roots were ambiguous. However, both versions agree that as a small boy Nanavalli served in a Muslim darga and came to attend Baba upon divine inspiration. Nobody knows when he came to Shirdi, but some say he was already there when Baba arrived with the wedding party. Upon seeing Baba, Nanavalli greeted him affectionately, "Oh, Uncle, you have come!" Thereafter, he always addressed Baba as “Mama" or “Uncle.”

Nanavalli was content to see Baba occasionally and from a distance, but his emotion for Baba was such that he felt all glory and greatness should be Baba's and that none should accrue to himself. He used to say, "My duty is only to protect my uncle". Nanavalli could not bear immorality or hypocrisy. He seemed to know devotees inner thoughts and target them accordingly. He was known to occasionally wait outside Dwarakamai and beat up certain individuals. Though people would rush to Baba and complain, Baba would never reprimand Nanavalli, but simply warn them to be careful of him.H.V.Sath was a prominent devotee with a prestigious job in the colonial government. For some reason, he was particularly harassed by Nanavalli. During the Chavadi processions, Sathe had the privilege of carrying a sort of regal scepter and walking in front of Baba. 0n one such occasion Nanavalli attacked Sathe on the back of the back with a piece of broken glass. Another time, when Sathe was about to go to the mosque to worship Baba, his father –in-law rushed in and begged him not to, as Nanavalli was waiting there with an axe threatening to kill him. Sathe was so afraid that he fled Shirdi without seeing Baba or getting his permission to leave. That was in 1916 and he never came back to Shirdi again while Baba was alive.

As Sai Baba's fame grew, he was worshipped with increasing pomp and splendor. One day Nanavalli strolled into the mosque, which was crowded with visitors, and to the horror of those present, demanded from Baba, "Please get up. I want to sit there" Baba immediately rose from his gaddi saying, " Please sit " Nanavalli took his place. The devotees were appalled at his audacity and wanted to drag him away, but when they saw Baba's expression- calm and happy they desisted. After a few moments Nanavalli exclaimed "Shabhash " (" Good, well done") prostrated to Baba and danced ecstatically before leaving. Some say that Nanavalli wished to test the object of his adoration to see if any egoism had crept in, but others believe that he harbored no such doubts and simply wanted to demonstrate Baba's purity and detachment. Baba did not comment on the incident and none dared to ask him about it (Ref: Shri Sai Satcharita, 10th Chapter).

Nanavalli's attachment to Baba was so great that he used to say, "If Baba goes, I’ll not be around for long" Sure enough, when Baba passed away, Nanavalli rushed to Dwarakamai crying. "Uncle, without you how can I live "? I am coming with you " with that he went to the Hanuman Mandir. There he wept grievously and took no food.

Nanavalli was devastated with grief by Baba’s Mahasamadhi. He felt it was futile to live any longer, as life without Baba was worthless. On the 13th day of Baba’s Mahasamadhi, he cried “Kaka, Kaka” and left his mortal body. Thus, Nanavalli kept his words and passed away exactly on the thirteenth day of Sai Baba's Samadhi i.e., on 27th October 1918 in Shirdi. His Samadhi is built over his body and is next to Abdul Baba’s Samadhi on the way to Lendi Baugh.

Samadhi of Nanavalli

(Source: Shri Sai Satcharita, Chapter 10, Ambrosia in Shirdi and Baba’s Gurukul by Vinny Chitlur. Video Courtesy: Shri.Nikhil Kripalani, Saibaba Devotee Speaks Photo Courtesy: Shri.Pranav, Sagar Colony, Nirmal District, Telangana)