Maya Janardan Kher

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 Shanta was born on 18th November 1936 in Ujjain  home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas  to Late Shri Shridhar Balwant Nandedkar and Late Smt. Lakshmi Shridhar Nandedkar. After her marriage to Shri Janardan Kher, she became Smt. Maya Janardan Kher. The Nandedkars had a beautiful bungalow in Ujjain’s ‘Freeganj’ area, opposite the Shri Satyanarayan Temple. Over the next few years, three more daughters and a son were born into the Nandedkar family in order: Malini, Vijaya, Savita, and Gopal.  

Her father, Late Shri Shridhar Balwant Nandedkar, retired from a senior position at Ujjain’s major textile mill, ‘Vinod Cotton Mill’. Late Smt. Lakshmi was an excellent cook and very sociable. The Nandedkar family commanded great respect in society, and still does.

Entry into the Kher family:

Kumari Shanta was married to Shri Janardan Shankar Kher of Baroda on Vat Purnima in 1955. The marriage took place under unusual circumstances and conditions in the Kher household.  Maya Aai was inherently a woman of few words, yet when the occasion demanded, she could win everyone’s heart by speaking to them. Owing to her kind nature, Swamiji’s home would truly be called Vrundavan in one way and Gokul in another.

Swamiji’s mother, Late Parvati alias Sundar, had semi-paralysis. She could manage only a little on her own. His father Late Shankar, and brother, Late Harishchandra alias Haribhau, also needed support in their day-to-day activities.  Maya Aai looked after Haribhau just as one would care for a small child cleaning him, bathing him, dressing him, etc. all without any complaint. Because of this, Haribhau would address her as “Aai” (mother). He used to follow her instructions most of the times.

At Swamiji’s home, besides grandmother, grandfather, and Haribhau kaka, there were his four children. In addition, because of the couple’s warm nature,and hospitality ,all relatives would stay at their home whenever they visited.  

Both sons of Late Sureshkaka, Swamiji’s youngest brother Chi. Shreyas and Chi. Mayur came to live there after their mother left them. A few years later, Late Bhalchandra kaka’s elder son, Late Niranjan, came to Baroda for education and stayed there. Within a few months, Chi. Shyam, son of Late Joshi Maya Aai’s acquaintance from Ujjain also came to Baroda for studies and stayed at Swamiji’s home. After Shyam finished his education and left, Chi. Nandan, the younger son of Late Sushila Krishnaji Moghe, Swamiji’s eldest sister, also came to study at Baroda College and stayed there.  

A few years later, Shri Arun Gujar an acquaintance of Swamiji’s sister Late Malati Raghunath Agate came to Baroda due to his transfer from Satara by United Western Bank.  

Apart from them, the three sons of Swami’s friend Late Vasudev Sant Prakash, Prashant, and Pradip would be at Swamiji’s home most days.

Maya Aai was not only an expert cook but also had the skill to keep an old house neat and well-arranged.  She used to knit beautiful sweaters and sell them to earn some money to make the ends meet towards the end of the month .Despite adverse household conditions,she always encouraged her children to balance studies and other activities such as sports.

Later, as the influx of Swamiji’s devotees increased, serving food for all and balancing the household became a tightrope walk for her, and everyone could see that. In those difficult circumstances, some relatives helped financially. The family is certainly indebted to them.

Even while going through all these trials, during Adhik Maas or Shravan Maas, Bhagwat Saptah, bhajans, kirtans, and readings of various scriptures by inviting different speakers were celebrated at home. As long as her health permitted, she did many parayans of Shri Gajanan Maharaj’s Shri Gajanan Vijay pothi.  She welcomed everyone with a smiling face and thus won everyone’s heart, securing a place of honor in their minds that is special.

Finally, it must certainly be said that a wife, mother, sister-in-law, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, mavshi, friend, and Guru-mauli like her is rarely found.  

Those who came in contact with her, especially her children, are blessed to have experienced her kindness.