Bavji Chatur Singhji
Associates, Devotees and Disciples
### Associates, Devotees and Disciples

Amongst the chief associates of Bavji mention should be made of Pandit Shobha Lalji Dashora, Pandit Girdhari Lalji Shashtri, Thakur Ram Singhji of Kelwa, Sahu Kapoorchand Agrawal, Pandit Jetha Lalji Dashora, Pandit Ratan Lalji Ameta, Pandit Uma Shankarji Dwevedi, Sahu Chanadan Malji Bhanawat, Dr. Basanti Lalji Mahatma, and Kika Dangi of Nauwa. [Mahatma Bhuri Bai](http://www.alakhnayanmandir.org) was one of his well\-known disciples. Other well\-known Sat\-Sanghi of Bavji include: Shri Laxmi Lal Joshi, Babuji Parmanandji, Sawai Singhji Amet, Chain Sighji Batheda, Sadvi Kamla Kunwar Laxamanpura, Kr. Jagat Singhji and Kr. Abhay Singhji Karjali, Kr. Shivdan Singhji Shivrati, Baisa Ratan Kunwar of Shivrati, Lal Singhji Shaktawat Jagat, Mehtab Singhji Laxmanpura...The first research paper on Bavji was written by Dr. Sangram Singh Ranawat under the guidance of Prof. K. C. Shautriya, the Head of Hindi Department, MB College, Udaipur in 1957, which was published as a booklet by PRATAP SHAUDH PRATISTHAN, VIDYA PRACHARINI SABHA, Udaipur in the year 1963\. Bavji's literature is taught in Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, [ML Sukhadia University](http://www.mlsu.ac.in) , Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur [JN Vyas University, Jodhpur](http://www.jnvu.edu.in) and Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University Kota.A scholar of Rajasthani literature at ML Sukhadia University Udaipur, Mr. Mangi Lal Nagda wrote Post Graduate dissertation on Bavji and Dr. Bheru Prakash Dadheech has been awarded PhD on the works of Bavji by the JN Vyas University.

During Bavji's period his *bhajans* (devotional songs), *dohas* (couplets), poems were sung by the renowned singer Gopal Gandharv. During the next generation Raghunath Katha and his Group (*bhajan mandali*), Gopalji's son Chandra Gandharv, daughter Laxmi Gandharv and daughter\-in\-law Sashi Gandharv used to sing Bavji's bhajans and songs for the [All India Radio](/wiki/All_India_Radio "All India Radio") and at public functions across the country. Shri Sukh Lal Damami of Rodji\-ka\-Kheda popularized Bavji's *bhajans*/poems in villages of Mewad.The tradition is presently being carried forward by Pushkar "*Gupteshwar*" (पुष्कर "गुप्तेश्वर") \& his party who are popular singer of Bavji's works; his audio cassettes/CDs are also well accepted in which Bavji's *Chandrashekhar Stotr* (चँद्रशेखर स्तोत्र), *Alakh Pachhisee* (अलख पच्चीसी) are most admired. An audio CD of Ambalal Bhawsaar (अम्बालाल भवसार) entitled चतर सिंह जी रौ विचार शील वैभव\-"*Chatur Singhji Bavji's Vichhaar\-sheel Vaibhav*"\-Glory of Bavji Chatur Singhji's Thoughtful Heritage\-has also been brought out (2011\).

Several writers and poets have written prose, poems and lectured on Bavji, chief amongst them are late Thakur Ram Singhji of Kelwa, Nathu Singhji Mehiariya, Padma\-Shri Rani [Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat](/wiki/Lakshmi_Kumari_Chundawat "Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat"), Sobhagya Singhji Shekhawat, Kesar Singhji Barhet, Kavi Bhushan Jagadish of Bhinder, Prithvi Singhji Chauhan 'Premi' of Bhinder, Suraj Chandra Dangi of Badi Sadri, Radhey Shyam Mehta, Dev Karan Singhji Roopaheli, Prof. Mathura Prasad and Dr. Kamala Agrawal, Niranjan Nathji Acharya, Pandit Janardhan Rai Nagar, Bhai Bhagwan, [Nand Chaturvedi](/wiki/Nand_Chaturvedi "Nand Chaturvedi"), Prof. MMS Mathur, Prof. Onkar Singhji Kelwa... 
Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewad (reign 1955–1984\) republished Bavji's major literary works during his birth centenary year (1980\) and set up a room in Bavji's honor in the City Palace Museum, Udaipur. The reputed and widely\-read spiritual journal "[KALYAN](http://www.gitapress.org)", published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur, UP, also brought out special issues on BHAGTA\-ANK (1928\) and YOGANK (1935\) in which Bavji's literature, philosophy, and contributions were discussed. The main objective of the Udaipur Chapter of [INTACH](http://www.intach.org) is to popularize the cultural heritage of Mewad.

For the daily help and company, Bavji had Roopa, Kanna, Devla, Uddha, Shankar and Bavji composed many a poem addressed to them for dispersal of his social reformist ideas.

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The renowned Rajasthani writer and social activist Padma\-Shri Rani [Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat](/wiki/Lakshmi_Kumari_Chundawat "Lakshmi Kumari Chundawat") (b. 24 June 1916\) dedicated her book "Moomal" (1961\) to Bavji Chatur Singhji in the following words4:

**समरपण**  

राजस्थानी गद्य रा उध्दार करणिया  

पू'च्योडा़ भगत अर योगी  

जगव्हाला जुग आदरिया  

जो राज'म्हेलां सूं उतर जणा जणा रा मन मंदिर में बस गिया  

ज्यां री पोथ्यां आज तांई मेवाड़ रा घर घर में  

गीता भागवत ज्यूं बांची जावे  

ज्यां रा बणायोडा़ भजन गांव गांव में लोकगीतां री नांई गाइजे  

वां महाराज श्री चतुरसिंघजी री पावन यादगारी ने  

घणा मांन सूं भेँट

**Dedication**  

The redeemer of Rajasthani literature  

The Superior saint and yogi  

The universally ever respected  

The one who moved out of palace and in the hearts of the populace  

The one whose literary creations are in the every house of Mewad  

Read with the reverence of the Bhagwat Gita  

The one whose devotional songs are sung like the folk songs  

In the reverend memory of that Maharaj Shri Chatur Singhji  

This book is dedicated with great regards!  

*Late Shri Niranjan Nath Acharya*, the then Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, published a booklet entitled *"Chatur Chandno"* '**चतुर चादंणो'** (The radiance of Chatur Singh) containing Bavji's more popular poems. In its Foreword he states:

Maharaj Chatur Singhji was an enlightened personality in addition to being a great poet (word\-smith!). 
His creations are a balanced blend of spiritual knowledge and folk behavior. 
With the help of our day\-to\-day incidences, narrated in a simple language, 
he has explained the most difficult knowledge in a manner that is easily understood 
and the matter touches our heart and mind.

Additionally, Bavji's poems and couplets are worth rendering at any time and at all the social functions / occasions – on hearing them one is blessed with peace, purity, and renewed radiance.

You all are requested to read and make children and people\-at\-large read Bavji's literature and to popularize it for spread of new knowledge and new light (Chandano) for the bliss of heart and mind.

With this objective I present this "CHATUR CHANDANO" so that the light of knowledge will spread in all direction to rid of the darkness of mind.

**Niranjan Nath Acharya,Compiler**

महाराज श्री चतरसिंहजी एक सिध्द पुरूष होने के साथ साथ अच्छे कवि भी थे। उनकी रचनाओं में ईश्वर ज्ञान और लोक व्यवहार का सुन्दर मिश्रण है। कठिन से कठिन ज्ञान तत्व को हमारे जीवन के दैनिक व्यवारों के उदाहरणों से समझाते हुए सुन्दर लोक भाषा में इस चतुराई से ढाला है कि उनके गीत, उनमें बताई गई बात एक दम गले उतर कर हृदय में जम जाती हैं, मनुष्य का मस्तिष्क उसे पकड़ लेता है।

एक बात और है। बावजी चतुर सिंहजी के गीत और दोहे जीवन की हर घड़ी, विवाह\-शादी, समारोह, आदि अवसरों पर गाये\-सूनाये जाने योग्य है। उन्हें सुनने, सुनाने वाले के मन भी शान्ती, शुध्दता और नई रोशनी मिलती है।

आप सभी सज्जनों से निवेदन हैं कि इस महान् सन्त कवि बावजी चतुर सिंहजी की कविताओं को पढ़े अन्य बालक बालिकाओं और लोगों को पढ़ावे और समाज में अधिक से अधिक प्रचार कर लोगों के मन और मस्तिष्क को नया ज्ञान, नया पृकाश, (चादंणो) ओर नया आनन्द दे।

इसी पुण्य उद्देश्य से यह '**चतुर चादंणो'** आपकी सेवा में प्रस्तुत है। आशा है उनकी रचनाओं में ज्ञान का जो चांदणा (चांद का पृकाश) चारों और फैला कर लोगों के मन के अन्धेरे को दूर करेगा।

**निरंजन नाथ आचार्य,संकलनकर्ता**

HOW TO REACH NAUWA: The village NAUWA is located in Mavlli tehsil of Udaipur district. The nearest railhead is KHEMLI station on Udaipur\- Mavli Jn of NWR. One can travel by road from Mavli or Udaipur or Nathdwara or Eklingji.

**Tribute of Gopal Gandharv to Bavji**

...RAMAYAN RAGHUKUL MAAREG NEY, BHINN\-BHINN SAMJAYO.  

GEETA RA SUB GUUDH GYAN NE, UNPUD TUK PAHUCHAYAO.  

BHAGVA BHESH KIYO NAHI KABHU, NAHI TUN BHASM RAMAYO  

ALAKH PACHEESI VANAYI APOORAB, BHRAHM GYAN PRAGATAYO.  

...AAKHIN OAT BHAYE MAHARAJA, GHUT BHEETER PRAGTAYE.  

RATTAN PRASHAD MILI CHINTAMANI, GUN GOPALO GAVE.  

...
रामायण रघुकुल मारगने, भिन्न भिन्न समझायो।  

गीतारा गूढ़ ज्ञानने, अणपढ़ तक पहुंचायो॥  

भगवां भेष कियो नहिं कबहू, नहिं तन भस्म रमायो।  

अलख पचीसी वणाय अपूरब, ब्रह्म ज्ञान प्रगटायो॥...  

आखिन ओट भये महाराजा, घट भीतर प्रगटाये।  

रतन प्रसादि मिली चिंतामणि, गुण गोपालो गावे॥

Ramayan's path of righteousness was explained by you,  

You also enlightened the unlettered with the lofty teachings of the Geeta,  

You neither dressed in saffron, nor smeared your body with ash,  

You elucidated The Invisible and the ultimate knowledge,  

Oh Maharaja, living a simple domestic life, you achieved enlightenment,  

Gopal (Gandharv) can not but sing your praise!  

The renowned Rajasthani scholar Hiralal Maheshwari commented and translated Bavji's couplets as follows5:

Maharaj Catursinha (महाराज चतरसिंह 1880–1929\) is considered a great *yogi, bhakt* and poet of Mewad, where his poems are still popular...he has pleaded for the uplift of women and farmers and desistance from all social evils, practices, and superstitions. He urged that children should be taught in their mother tongue. Here are three verses from Catur Cintamani (चतुर चिन्तांमणि):

पर घर पग नी मैलणो, बना मान मनवार।
अंजन आवै देखनै, सिंगल रो सतकार॥ 269

Don't step into a house unless respectfully and beseechingly invited. 
Even a railway engine steams into a station only when invited by the signal.

ऊँध सूधने छोड़ने, करणो काम पछाण।
कर ऊँधो सूँधो घड़ो, तरती भरती दाँण॥ 273

Invert or upward as strictly as occasion demands. 
Invert the pitcher if you have to swim with it and turn it up if you want to fill it with water.

भावै लख भगवंत जश, भावे गाळाँ भाँड।
द्वात कलम रो दोष नी, मन व्हे' ज्यो ही मांड॥ 286

Pen and ink are not responsible for the contents of the script. 
With them you can write obeisance or obscenity according to the dictates of your mind.

**A bard has rightly said of him:**

Bhuja Chatur sukh de bhalo,varan chatur ney both.  

Maas Chatur soo jull\-unn miley, gyan Chatur Gahlot.

भुजा चतुर सुख दे भलो, बरण चतुर ने बोत।  

मास चतुर सूं जळ\-अन्न मिले, ज्ञान चतुर गहलोत।

The four armed Almighty provides pleasure to all the four sections of the society,  

The four months of monsoon provide us water \& food where as Chatur Gahlot provides us blissful knowledge!  

On the occasion of 132nd birthday of Bavji (22 January 2012\), nonagenarian Radheyshyam Mehta brought out a booklet with 108 couplets in honor of Bavji\- "चतुर चितारणी (स्मरणाञ्जलि)Chatur Remembrance". Sample these three:

तिलक करे छापा करे, भगमा भेष वणाय। चतुर सन्त री सादगी, सन्ता ऊपर जाय॥23

Holy men smear forehead/ body and wear saffron clothing (\& remain unmarried), but Chatur leads a domestic simple life and still attains higher stature.

पगे पगरखी गांवरी, ऊँची धोती पैर। कांधे ज्ञान पछेवड़ो, चतुर चमक चहुँफेर॥50  

A villager's footwear \& leg wear, on the shoulder is the cloth\-sheet of knowledge, still the radiance of Chatur is everywhere.  

Bavji was strong advocate of women's education which is acknowledged thus: 

कूकी ने काका लिख्यो, पोथी थोड़ी वांच। एक पोथी मन धार ले, जाणेगा थूं सांच॥90  

Niece gets a letter from uncle (Chatur) get started studying, select right literature to understand the truth.  

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What is the main theme of the book 'चतुर चितारणी (स्मरणाञ्जलि)Chatur Remembrance'?