Madhavrao Deshpande—lovingly called Shama by Sai Baba—became one of Baba’s closest companions. Their friendship shows how devotion can be intimate, fearless, and full of trust.
DevotionFriendship with the GuruShama
The chapter
Madhavrao Balwant Deshpande was a teacher at the Marathi school near Dwarkamai. He often visited Sai Baba, helped prepare Baba’s chillum, and gradually came closer to Him. In time, Madhavrao left his other work and devoted himself to serving Baba and the devotees who came for darshan.
Baba called him “Shama,” a name expressing affection and closeness. The chapter presents their relationship as a rare friendship between a devotee and the divine. Baba sent Shama as His representative to important family occasions, and He once told Kakasaheb Dixit that keeping Shama’s company was as good as being in Baba’s company.
One account describes Balasaheb Mirikar travelling with Shama after Baba instructed him to do so. During the night, while they were staying at a temple in Chitali, a snake crawled over Mirikar’s body. He woke in time and the people present killed the snake. The family account remembers Shama’s presence as part of the protection that accompanied Mirikar on the journey.
Shama’s devotion was not silent or distant. He spoke to Baba with the directness of a beloved friend, questioned Him when an answer seemed confusing, and expected Baba to explain Himself. Baba received this boldness with patience and affection. Their exchanges reveal a relationship in which reverence and intimacy could exist together.
What Shama’s example invites us to reflect on
Can our spiritual life become honest enough for us to ask difficult questions while remaining rooted in love? Shama’s example suggests that closeness to the Guru is not performed through ceremony alone; it is also shown through service, trust, courage, and a heart that keeps returning to Baba.
Editorial note: This page paraphrases Chapter 3 for web presentation. The complete chapter remains available in the linked source PDF.