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Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode was born in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, in Ratnagiri district. He was the son of Late Shri Krishnaji Gode. His mother’s name and his date of birth is not known. During the later years, the family settled in Sadashiv Peth, Pune, where he received his early education at a Marathi school. Since the days of his childhood, he was one of those boys who couldn't sit still. He easily mingled with people, had a cheerful disposition, and was always smiling. After completing his studies, he learned photography with the help of some well-known British Photographers and also from his father. During the British era, he ran a commercial artist and photographer's studio on Laxmi Road in Pune, and at that time, he was one of the most famous photographers amongst the photographers of Pune. During the period 1890 and 1892, Shri Sai Baba summoned Shri Nana Saheb Chandorkar of Kalyan, Mumbai to Shirdi through Shri Appa Kulkarni. Finally, Nana Saheb Chandorkar visited Shirdi for the first time in 1892 and had darshan of Shri Sai Baba. Probably during this same period, Shri.Govindrao Sapkar (father-in-law of Mr. Madhavrao Deshpande alias Shyama of Shirdi) used to often visit Shri.Rasne's shop to meet Shri. Khanderai who was his friend and who worked as an accountant in the shop of Shri. Damodar Savalram Rasane of Ahmednagar. One day, during a casual conversation, Shri.Govindrao Sapkar suggested to Shri. Damu Anna that since he was distressed due to not having children, he should visit Shirdi and seek the blessings of Shri Sai Baba. That day, Shri.Damu Anna heard the name of Shri Sai Baba for the first time. Sometime later, he visited the home of his business friend, Dengale brothers, in Nimgaon (a village near Shirdi). At that time, Dengale brothers also urged him to go to Shirdi to have darshan of Shri Baba. Thus, after he heard the name of Shri Baba once again from Dengale brothers, he went to Shirdi’s Dwarakamai Masjid to see Shri Baba. In his very first darshan itself, he was attracted to Shri Sai Baba. Later, Shri.Damu Anna started visiting Shirdi frequently to have darshan of Shri Sai Baba, and he had several personal experiences. The presence of such a great Sadguru captivated his heart, and he became an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba. Many miraculous events, as described in Chapter 25 of Shri Sai Satcharitra happened in the life of Shri.Damu Anna. Sai devotees may specially note here that while It is true that Shri Sai Baba agreed to Shri Damu Anna's request that he wanted a picture of Shri Baba. However, neither of the two families has any information about how Shri.Damodar Savalram Rasane and Shri.Kashinath Gode came into contact with each other. After listening to the talk from this family from Pune, we probed into the information very deeply and we came to the conclusion that it is true that in those days there were no photo studios in every street or nook and corner of a city like we have today and not everyone was interested in taking photos at that time. We can see a legacy by Sai devotees of lovingly preserving through the generations, about the life and Leela’s performed by Shri. Shirdi Sai Baba by way of speeches, written accounts and invaluable rarely seen records. Of these, some photographs taken during Baba's lifetime have great spiritual and historical significance. One such picture which is considered to be one of the oldest real pictures of Shirdi Sai Baba is indeed an everlasting sign of faith. This sacred picture has been carefully preserved even to this day due to the dedication of late Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode, a photographer from Pune and his family members. The original photograph of Saibaba sitting in front of Dhuni Maa was taken during Baba's period. This photo is one of the earliest Photo of Baba sitting in front of Dhuni Mai with His right hand next to His ear. It is a special pose that has been recreated countless times since then and is deeply embedded in the hearts of Sai devotees. Because Sai Baba looks quite young in this photo, devotees often affectionately call him “Young Sai Baba”. This photograph was taken in 1903 by Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode. Historical records and documentation sources available on Shri Sai Baba confirm that this photograph is one of the earliest photographs taken of Baba during His lifetime. Surprisingly, the original glass negative of this photograph is still with Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode family, which makes it a very precious piece of spiritual and cultural heritage. Possible Meaning of “Baba Sitting in Front of Dhuni Maa” : This pose possibly represents the “inward journey” that we have to take to reach “Baba”, and be one with him. This journey started with the first step of withdrawing our Karmendriyaas totally from this mundane life. This is represented by the left leg which is not seen. Control the Jnanendriyaas, which are to act over the Karmendriyaas which is represented by the right leg over the left leg. This is achieved by following the messages heard or insight derived from this inward journey. This is represented by the closed fist of the right hand which is kept next to the ear. An invisible Antakarna Chatushtaya with adhimanas as support is represented by the right hand kept next to the right ear. The left hand over the right leg represents surrendering to him in totality. We have to surrender all of the following, the three Shariras, the trigunas, the arishadvargas, the 5 pranas, and the 5 koshas. This is achieved by following the Jnana Marga, Bhakti Marga, Karma Marga or the blend of these three (Source: Dr.Vinny Chitluri) History of How the Photo was made: During Shri Sai Baba’s sojourn it was firmly believed that Sri Sai Baba's photograph should be taken only with the due permission from Him. With this deep faith, Sai Mahabhakta Shri.Kashiram Shimpi Mirane brought an able photographer Shri.Kashinath Gode from Pune all the way to Shirdi. Kindly note here that It is mostly likely possible that Shri.Damu Anna told this to Kashinath Gode and invited him for doing this work because Shri.Damu Anna had prayed to Shri Sai Baba about taking His picture and Shri Baba had granted His permission for the same. Sai Baba allowed him to take a photograph when He was sitting near Dhuni Maa inside the Dwarakamai. Thus, this photograph became a historical picture - not just another photograph of Sai Baba, but as a work of deep devotion. Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode was the man behind the lens who was lucky to take this photograph of Shri Sai Baba. Shri.Kashinath Gode was not only a photographer but also an artist and a staunch freedom fighter who participated in India’s freedom movement. There was a unique combination of creativity, courage and social commitment embedded in his life. He married Smt.Usha Sardesai, who was herself a freedom fighter. Shri. Kashinath Gode ran a photography studio on Lakshmi Road, Pune which was a very famous studio in the city. He commanded a lot of respect from people because of his professional work ability.
Late Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode & Late Smt.Usha Sardesai The first print of this holy photo was kept in the shop of Sai Mahabhakta late Shri.Damu Anna Rasane in Ahmednagar. Even to this day, this photo is being preserved by Rasane’s descendants and worshiped daily. This devotional tradition was carried forward by his sons and grandson late Shri.Srikanth Rasane. A copy of this photo is also displayed in Shirdi Museum built in the erstwhile Dixit Wada in Shirdi, where devotees can see this historical picture. The legacy of Gode family in photography and faith: The sacred responsibility of preserving this photographic heritage was carried forward by Shri.Kashinath Gode’s son Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode. Around the year 1978-79, Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode recovered both the original photograph and its negative.
Original Glass Negative of Shri Sai Baba Sitting in front of Dhuni Maa
Original Photo of Shri Sai Baba sitting in front of Dhuni Maa Realizing its immense spiritual and historical significance, Shri.Dilip Gode decided to ensure that the picture was preserved for the darshan by Shri Sai Baba's devotees and he also decided to give a Life size photograph to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi. During his visit to Shirdi, Shri.Dilip Gode met Court receive Shri.K.H.Kakre and showed him the original photograph. He humbly sought permission to make a large, life-size photograph in memory of his father and asked if it could be kept at a prominent place in Shirdi. The Court receive and Shirdi Sansthan Officials happily agreed and assured full support for this noble gesture. In the year 1970, making a life-size photograph was a huge challenge. Shri. Dilip Gode ordered for a special photographic paper from Mumbai. A makeshift darkroom was constructed using black paper in one room of the ancestral home and developer and fixer solutions were prepared by hand in baskets. After several test prints, one final life-size photo of approximately 6 ft × 4 ft was successfully produced. Shri.Dilip Gode’s friends helped him in framing and glass fitting, while few other friends helped him in taking the photograph safely to Shirdi. For many years, it was the only large photograph of Shri Sai Baba in the Old Prasadalaya, where countless devotees took darshan. Later, even larger images of Sai Baba were made and placed in special places of worship including Dwaravati, Bhakta Niwas, New Prasadalaya and many other places maintained by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi.
Shri Sai Baba Sitting In Front of Dhuni Maa photograph hung inside New Prasadalaya This historical photograph is more than just a visual record. It is a symbol of deep devotion which has been lovingly preserved for generations. Millions of Sai devotees who have utmost faith connect to their Perfect Master, Pari Poorna Parabrahma Shri Sai Baba through the medium of this wonderful picture. Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode’s wife Smt.Usha Gode passed away on 2nd January 1959. After leading a peaceful life Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode passed away on 2nd July 1968. His son Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode and his family members are residing in Pune and leading a peaceful life following the legacy of his father.
Kashinath Krishnaji Gode Family Tree
Smt.Meghana Dilip Gode & Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode
L to R - Shri.Aditya Rajesh Gode, Smt.Meghana Dilip Gode, Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode,
L to R - Shri.Rajesh Dilip Gode, Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode & Smt.Meghana Dilip Gode We are providing below the contact details of the descendants of Late Shri.Kashinath Krishnaji Gode for the benefit of Sai devotees who would like to meet the descendant family in person. Contact Details: Dilip K.Gode, (Source: Ambrosia In Shirdi and Baba’s Gurukul by Dr.Vinny Chitluri, Late Shri.Shrikant Rasane, Pune, Shri.Puneet Malik, Sai Devotee, USA, Personal Interview Shri.Jignesh Rajput had with Late Shri.Kashinath Gode’s Son - Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode. Photo and Family Tree Courtesy: Shri.Dilip Kashinath Gode) |
