Bhosle’s Wife
Appasaheb Bhosle’s wife, a resident of Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, developed injuries due to disease resulting in 8 to 10 holes in her leg. In spite of taking all remedial measures there was no relief. Then the Bhosle couple along with 8-10 people came to Akkalkot. After coming to Akkalkot they came to know that Sri Swami had gone to Wakdari hill. It was hot summer midday and they hadn’t eaten anything yet, still they went up the hill to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Then Sri Swami said, “To give you ‘Darshan’ only I have come so far”. Bhosle offered dhotees, bed and pillows, and koupeen to Sri Swami. Then Bhosle informed Sri Swami regarding the holes in his wife’s leg. Sri Swami gave abuses and spoke to the lady “come here. How many holes are there in your leg? This is all the outcome of evil deeds in the past life. You have tried all the remedial treatments and you are fed up. Now you try this treatment”. There was a Kunda flower plant. Sri Swami touched that tree and said, “Rub the fruit of this Kunda plant into a paste and eat it. Then rub elephant tusk into a paste and apply it to the holes on your leg”. Sri Swami gave prasad of mango and coconut to the Bhosle couple, and then he got up and went to the cactus hill to sit. Sri Swami asked the Bhosle couple to go and take meals. Next day, Sri Swami returned to Akkalkot from the hill. Bhosle couple returned home after taking the blessings of Sri Swami. The hole injuries got cured completely. The couple developed such a faith for Sri Swami that they started visiting Akkalkot very often to get the blessings of Sri Swami.
Jagannathrao
In Mumbai, there was a gentleman named Jagannathrao. He had a number of holes on both his legs. The doctor said that both the legs have to be amputated from knee downwards. Hearing this he became nervous and his health started worsening. His friend advised him to go to Akkalkot. Jagannathrao and his family took a servant and a cook with them and came to Akkalkot. Then he took Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ and prayed “Please bless me, either by saving my life with the restoration of both legs or by my final deliverance from this life”. Sri Swami was moved by compassion with his earnest prayers and said “You rascal, what is your pain? ”. Hearing these words Jagannathrao’s leg-bandages got opened up automatically and fell. Then his wife prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swami and prayed earnestly to bless her Soubhagya151 with a long life. Sri Swami nodded his head in assent. Ganapatrao Joshi who was familiar to Jaggannathrao said, “Now, take for granted that your illness is cured”. Jagannathrao gave up all medicines and started taking the holy water used for washing the lotus feet of Sri Swami regularly. One day, Jagannathrao came to know that Sri Swami had gone to a nearby village called Nargund. Sitting on the shoulder of his servant he went to Nargund to see Sri Swami. He prayed to Sri Swami “Maharaj, what should I do now? Kindly bless me to get relief from this pain”. Then he took out the silver Padukas76 from his pocket and touched it to the lotus feet of Sri Swami. He again prayed “let my feet be saved or ruined. I will not apply any medicine to my feet except the touch of these holy silver Padukas”. Sri Swami passed his bountiful hand over Jagannathrao’s head and blessed him. After a few days Sri Swami spoke to him “Now you go home”. Jagannathrao returned to Mumbai. After a few days he was cured and became normal. At that time, there was a famous doctor by name Bhau Daji in Mumbai. When he heard about Jagannathrao, he was amazed at this miracle.
A Boil on the Head
Bhimrao was one of the servants of Sri Swami. A big boil had appeared on his head that it looked as if he had two heads. Due to this deformity and ugliness he
became very restless and people started passing irritating remarks by calling him as a man with two heads etc. Because of this ugliness he became very restless and sad. One day Sri Swami also called him as a man with two heads and started laughing. Bhimrao burst into tears and spoke to Sri Swami “Let people laugh at me, but you are always compassionate to the distressed and very kind to the devotees. It is your righteousness to wipe out the evils of a devotee. If you shower your kind grace on me and liberate me from the evils then why should anybody laugh at me? ”. Sri Swami got softened with pity but he did not say anything. At night when Bhimrao was in sleep, he saw a vision in his dream that compassionate Swami passed his bountiful hand over his head. When Bhimrao woke up in the morning he found that the boil on his head had already opened up and the pus had oozed out. He was very happy. Now only the skin of the boil was hanging on his head. Sri Swami gave him holy water and sacred ash. Within a few days the hanging skin dried up and everything became normal again. Now the two-headed Bhimrao became single headed again.
Numerous Incurable Ailments
Vamanbua Badodekar had a number of incurable ailments like kidney stone, cough, dysentery, rheumatism in the joints, burning sensation in the body, eye-disease and piles. Day and night he was restless due to pain. He was not able to eat. Every five minutes he had to go to discharge his bowels. Ayurvedic physicians as well as allopathic doctors had given up for his life. He had no strength even to sit on the bed. He was a great devotee of Sri Swami Samarth. With great difficulty he pulled on his life doing Naamsmaran81, in that poor state of health. Then he wrote a letter to Sri Swami Samarth praying for his blessings. One day he was very restless. He decided to commit suicide by holding his breath within, as done in Pranayam152, by drowning himself, in the Soorsagar lake of Baroda153. Therefore he silently left his home and got himself drowned in the Lake. At that moment Sri Swami Samarth himself appeared right in front of Vamanbua. Sri Swami pulled him out of the water and slapped twice on his face and said, “You foolish donkey, why do you want to die when you still have a long life? Does anybody escape from this world till one undergoes all the sufferings as predicted by one’s fate? Why do you get angry with me? Instead of going for complete absorption in God consciousness, why do you go for drowning in water? ”. Sri Swami brought Vamanbua to his house and said “Sit here quietly, otherwise you will get more insulted”. So saying Sri Swami disappeared from there. That day after a long period Vamanbua went in deep sleep. When he woke up in the morning he felt that a major part of his pain had come down. After few days he got an order from Sri Swami to come to Akkalkot. Therefore, he went to Akkalkot. He learnt that Sri Swami had gone to the nearby village Maidargi. Vamanbua went limping and reached Maidargi. Seeing Vamanbua, Sri Swami spoke “Are you not the same person who had gone to get drowned in the lake? Has Soorsagar dried up? ”. Vamanbua prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swami. By the kind grace of Sri Swami, Vamanbua became perfectly normal. Vamanbua Badodekar was a great devotee and a great Sadhak154. On account of his accomplishment, he came to be known as ‘Brahmnishtha’. Sri Swami Samarth himself had blessed Vamanbua by giving him the idol of Lord Dattatreya, who personally installed this idol at Baroda.
Vamanbua has given the praise-worthy and detailed description of all the miracles of Sri Swami Samarth in his Granth155, Guruleelamrut. Devotees read this blessed Granth composed in metrical form of verses with great devotion.
Scorpion Bite
A scorpion bit Sri Swamiji’s servant, Cholappa’s wife. She became restless due to pain. Those days Sri Swami stayed Cholappa’s house. Sri Swami threw his shoe in front of Cholappa’s wife and asked her to put the scorpion bit hand inside the shoe. When she placed her hand in the shoe the pain would disappear, but as soon as she removed her hand from the shoe the pain would reappear again. Therefore, she placed her hand in the shoe and slept the whole night.
Snake Bite
Once Sri Swami went along with his devotees to a nearby village called Idagi and
took a halt in a Maruti Mandir156. There was a devotee of Sri Swami by name Ravanna. A snake bit him while working in his field. Unfortunately he died due to the snakebite. The people of the village brought his dead body to Sri Swami. A servant of Sri Swami, Baba Saheb Jadhav, placed Sri Swamiji’s shoes on dead Ravanna’s head. Seeing this, Sri Swami got very angry and started throwing abuses at Baba Saheb. Finally Sri Swami asked Baba Saheb to loudly call on Ravanna by his name. As soon as Baba Saheb called his name Ravanna woke up and sat, to the great surprise of onlookers.
Leucoderma
Vinchurkar
In the then state of Akkalkot, there was a regent by name Madhavrao Dadasaheb Vinchurkar (A regent is a person who rules when the regular ruler is absent or unfit). He was a great devotee of Sri Swami. Sri Swami would visit Vinchurkar’s house every now and then. On every visit Vinchurkar would render great devotional service to Sri Swami. Once, a white spot (leucoderma) appeared on the thigh of Vinchurkar. He became very nervous and started worrying with the very thought that this white spot should not spread to other parts of his body. Once, when Vinchurkar observed that Sri Swami was in a jolly mood, he offered his prayers to get him rid of the white spot. Sri Swami asked, “What is the spot called as? ”. Vinchurkar replied, “It is called as white spot”. Sri Swami asked him “What is that on your finger? ”. Vinchurkar replied, “Ring”. “What type of stone are you wearing on that ring? ”. Vinchurkar replied “White stone”. Sri Swami asked Vinchurkar to throw away the white stone ring. Then Vinchurkar got rid of the ring from his finger and put it on Sri Swamiji’s finger. Few days later the white spot on Vinchurkar’s thigh disappeared completely.
Lalsaheb
A North Indian Brahmin by name Lalsaheb worked as a servant in the then State
of Hyderabad, South India. He suffered from white spot (leucoderma), so he was very worried. Acting on someone’s suggestion he started performing religious ceremonials in the temple of Lord Venkatesh at Alawal. Lord Venkatesh’s temple was famous for devotee’s prayers getting answered (Jagruth Daivat). However, there was no result. So he returned to Hyderbad. One night in Hyderabad, he got a vision in his dream that one beautiful cow climbed the staircase of his house and went up to the top floor. When Lalsaheb went running to beat the cow, he saw a lustrous ‘Yogi’ wearing red-ochre colour costume, following the cow. Lalsaheb asked that Yogi “Who are you? To who does this cow belong? The door was closed, still how did the cow climb the stairs and come up? ”. Then the lustrous Yogi spoke “This cow belongs to me. I am residing either at, Ganagapur or Solapur (both in Maharashtra). Nobody can stop us. Whenever and wherever required we show ourselves in this manifested or obscure forms”. Finally Lalsaheb woke up from his dream. The next day he met a gentleman who advised him to go to Akkalkot and take the blessings of Sri Swami Samarth. Therefore, Lalasahed left for Akkalkot. After reaching Akkalkot he was surprised to find the same lustrous Yogi wearing red-ochre colour costume and his beautiful cow as he had seen before in his vision. Seeing this miracle he prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swami Samarth. Then Sri Swami spoke “Oh! You were trying to beat my cow. Are you so much intoxicated and rude? ”. Lalsaheb repented for what he had done in his dream. Sri Swami ordered him to feed street dogs. Lalsaheb remained at Akkalkot and started feeding dogs. Then within few days itself all the white spots on his body disappeared and he was completely cured of leucoderma. He became ecstatic and he returned home.
Thakurdas
There was a saint named ThakurdasBbaba alias ShreeKrishnaBaba in Mumbai who built a temple of Sri Swami Samarth. He was a devotee of Lord Dattatreya. He would always sing devotional songs from within his heart in the temple. Due to great misfortune he contracted leucodermia and white spots covered his entire body. One day Sri Swami took a burning wood from the fireplace and threw it towards Babaji. Babaji rubbed the firewood in to powder, then he added holy ash to it and then applied the mixture on his white spots. Within just a few days, all the white spots on his body disappeared completely.
Leprosy
A man who belonged to a lower caste suffered from leprosy. He sustained himself by begging at holy places. Finally he reached Pandharpur in Solapur District of Maharashtra. There, Pandharinath Lord Vithoba157, gave visionary insight to this poor
man asking him to go to Akkalkot where his disease would get cured. Nevertheless, the leper did not pay any attention to this advice. Then he got a second visionary insight saying the same thing. Therefore, finally the leper came to Akkalkot and started taking Sri Swami Samarth’s darshan, his Teerth158 and Naamasmaran. He continued his devotional service for three years. One day he was blessed by the kind grace of Sri Swami. At that time a Brahmin had come for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Sri Swami spoke to him “There is an old sandalwood tree in your backyard. Bring it here and give me a piece of that sandalwood”. The Brahmin did as advised and gave a piece of sandalwood to Sri Swami. Then Sri Swami gave that piece to the leper and said, “Rub this sandalwood and apply the paste on your body. The day when this piece of wood gets over by rubbing, that day you would be cured of leprosy”. With these kind blessings of Sri Swami Samarth the leper started applying the paste of sandalwood and the day that sandalwood got finished, his leprosy disappeared completely. After this, he continued his devotional service for few more days and then happily returned home.
Punjabi Leper
A Punjabi gentleman suffered from leprosy. Sri Swami was sitting on the railing
of ‘Sakhar well’ along with his devotees. When the Punjabi gentleman came there, he immediately prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swami and prayed, “You have performed a number of miracles. So I have come to you”. Noticing the gentleman’s rudeness Sri Swami was annoyed and replied “Don’t you see miracles performed by a Juggler too? After eating burfi 159 you go and enjoy with a prostitute. Are you so much intoxicated? Do you think of doing anything else except enjoying with a prostitute day and night? Do you really want to see the miracle? Then you see this miracle”. So saying Sri Swami undressed himself of the only loincloth40 worn by him. As the secret about his private life was exposed, shame overawed the Punjabi and then he surrendered himself at the lotus feet of Sri Swami. The blessings of Sri Swami cured the Punjabi of leprosy within two months. Then by singing devotional songs in the praise of Sri Swami, that Punjabi returned home.
Excretion for Leprosy
A Brahmin suffering from leprosy came to Ganagapur to render devotional service. After rendering service for a number of days, Sriguru, appeared in his dream and directed him to go to Akkalkot. Then the Brahmin went to Akkalkot and started rendering his service to Sri swamiji. One day he became so much distressed by the unbearable pain due to leprosy wounds that he prayed to Sri Swami “Maharaj, I cannot bear this pain anymore. I will get liberation from this suffering only if I die”. The compassionate Sri Swami said, “Apply the excretion on your body”. The Brahmin, after procuring the excretion of Sri Swami, applied the same to his body and then took bath. Within only four days, all the leprosy wounds on his body got cured. He recovered his health and remained there rendering his service. Only after getting the blessings of Sri Swami and with the permission to leave Akkalkot he returned home happily.
Asthma
A Brahmin suffered from Asthma and he was always restless. One day, with great confidence he prayed to Sri Swami and asked for suitable medicine. Sri Swami said, “Roast a sweet potato and eat it”. When the Brahmin started eating the roasted sweet potato, within three days itself his asthma got cured.
In this way, Sri Swami, cured different ailments or diseases of his devotees by his kind blessings. However, just for namesake, he would recommend some petty medicines. In fact these petty medicines were not medicines in reality but they carried the kind grace of Sri Swamiji. Those impossible diseases which were not cured even by long medical treatments were cured by the use of simple neem tree leaves or by charan-Teerth160of Sri Swamiji. Devotees still remember the compassionate nature of Sri Swamiji. For the ailments and diseases, which come due to one’s fate, no medicine can help but only the kind blessings of Sri Swamiji.
Demoniac possession
Sri Swami Samarth had liberated a number of devotees from demoniac possession by his simple sportive plays.
Tailor from Solapur
One day Sri Swami Samarth had gone to village called Basal, which is near Akkalkot. At that time, a tailor from Solapur, Maharashtra, had come there along with his family for Sri Swami Samarth’s Darshan’. By merely glancing at the tailor, Sri Swamiji said, “Would you not feed me? ”. The tailor made all the necessary arrangements. After the food was ready, the tailor gave bath to Sri Swamiji, worshipped him, performed Aarati161 and then offered sumptuous food to Sri Swamiji. After Sri Swamiji accepted the food, the tailor came and sat in front of Sri Swamiji. All of a sudden the tailor got demoniacally possessed and started swinging. He started screaming. He started dancing and then said, “Where is the necessity for an ascetic to show such plays? ”. Sri Swamiji kept silent for some time and started watering the tailor. Then suddenly he spoke “Fasten the hands of this rascal at the back”. Simply by listening to these words of Sri Swamiji; the tailor became helpless and fell down. He started praying, “I am an orphan. Please shower your kind grace on me and show me the way”. Listening to the tailor’s prayer Sri Swami Samarth got filled with compassion and he blessed the tailor with kind grace. The tailor got liberated from the demoniac possession and returned home happily. Then onwards on every full moon day he started going to Akkalkot on a pilgrimage to take Sri Swami Samarth’s ’Darshan’.
Govindrao
Govindrao, the son of Chintopant Toll, had severe stomach pain. One day unexpectedly Sri Swamiji came to his house and called Govindrao as ‘goldsmith’ and immediately there was a surge of psychic phenomena due to demoniac possession in Govindrao’s body and he started admonishing Sri Swamiji. He started swinging and went near Sri Swamiji and said, “Why should an ascetic remain in one place just like a buried wooden stump? ”. He went ahead to kick Sri Swamiji but the servants caught hold of him. Sri Swamiji silently went out and sat under the ‘Audumbar’ tree. The psychic went near Sri Swamiji and said, “Why should an ascetic stay in a village? ”. Finally, Sri Swamiji shouted angrily at Govindrao “You black-smith, bind the hands of this fellow with an iron chain weighing fifty seers162”. Both the hands of Govindrao got entangled as though an iron chain weighing fifty seers bound them. Govindrao started shouting, “Maharaj, I am going to die. Kindly save me. I have offended you and committed great sins. Govindrao has taken my money. You tell him to return the money and then I will go away”. By that time, a Muslim devotee arrived. Noticing Govindrao he said, “The tree is undergoing a lot of hardships. Kindly give relief to that tree”. Sri Swamiji said “A great man with a beard like you, has come here, why don’t you yourself relieve him from the bind of that heavy chain? ”. However, the Muslim devotee lacked enough courage to do so. A woman devotee had come for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ of. She went ahead. No sooner she touched Govindrao his hands got freed from the invisible binding chain. Within two-three days Govindrao got relief from his stomach pain to a great extent. Then Sri Swamiji said, “At the age of fifty-five you will be completely relieved from the stomach pain as well as the demoniac spirit of a deceased Brahmin”. Eventually Govindrao got the total relief after the completion of fifty-five years.
Shankarrao Daftardar
Shriman Shankarrao saheb was a record keeper in the regime of the then Nizam
of Hyderabad. He was demoniacally possessed. He was also suffering from T. B. He had taken lots of medical treatment but there was no positive effect. He came to Ganagapur and performed number of religious ceremonials, gave money in charity and rendered devotional service. Finally, he had a visionary insight advising him to go to Akkalkot. At Akkalkot, with the help of Sundarabai who was a devotee of Sri Swamiji, Shankarrao saheb offered his prayers to Sri Swamiji. Hearing the prayers, Sri Swamiji got up and went to the graveyard of Muslims. One graveyard was kept ready there. He went and slept in that pit. When Sri Swamiji woke up from that grave pit, he told Shankarrao saheb “Offer food to the Fakirs163 and a sheet of cotton cloth at Sheikh Noor Dargah164”. Shankarrao Saheb did accordingly. Within a few days he recovered his health.n Then as per the orders of Sri Swamiji, Shankarrao Saheb built a Muth90 at Akkalkot spending thirty thousand rupees, then celebrated a festival with great pomp and later returned to Hyderbad.
Shoe Thrown at the Brahmin Possessed by Ghost
A Brahmin was possessed demoniacally. He always behaved like a lunatic. His wife brought him to Akkalkot. She would collect alms and feed her husband but he would abuse and spit at people. The helpless lady somehow calmed down the victims. In the evening the Brahmin would become more mischievous and would run away without notice. With great difficulty he would get traced and caught. One day, the possessed Brahmin started shouting, “There is no justice in the royal court of Lord Dattatreya. Sri Swamiji is beating me unnecessarily”. In addition, he also started screaming. When Sri Swamiji asked the reason for his screaming, replied, “This Brahmin has not repaid my two thousand rupees. I was a poor man, hence I had to commit suicide, and then I became a ghost. Had he not swallowed my money, would I be, in this state of a ghost? Maharaj, please do justice in my case. If this Brahmin returns my money and completes my funeral rites, then I will go away”. Sri Swamiji said, “Oh, he is a poor Brahmin”. Hearing this the ghost said “I made this Brahmin poor and childless. Now let him return my money. I will not leave his body till he returns my money”. Hearing this Sri Swamiji started laughing. Sri Swamiji took a turban of a person and gave one tip of the turban in the hand of that person. An old wooden house, with a big hole was lying nearby. Sri Swamiji asked the person to put the tip of the turban in that hole and start pulling the turban. When that person started pulling the turban, the possessed Brahmin, began to writhe in severe pain. The entire body of the Brahmin started shrinking and stiffening. He started crying loudly and said “Maharaj, please forgive and release me. I will not demand for money. Whatever you say, I will agree for the same”. When the turban was pulled out completely from that hole, the Brahmin became unconscious. The Brahmin’s wife started crying, and she prayed to Sri Swamiji, to save her husband. Then Sri Swamiji threw his shoe and hit the Brahmin. The Brahmin immediately got up and asked Sri Swamiji “What do you command me to do? ”. Sri Swamiji said, “Go and sit on that tamarind tree”. The ghost left the Brahmin’s body and went away. Then the Brahmin regained his consciousness. Next day the Brahmin’s wife worshipped Sri Swamiji, performed Aarti161, Sang devotional songs in the praise of Sri Swamiji and offered Naivedya140. She prayed, “By your kind grace, we have got rid of a great calamity in this life. How can I describe your kindness? Now what should we do?” Then Sri Swamiji threw his shoes towards her. Taking the shoes as blessings, the couple returned home. The lady (Brahmin’s wife) started worshiping the shoes as blessings of Sri Swamiji with all devotion.
Appasaheb Subnis
In Pune, there was a rich and respectable lawyer by name Appasaheb Subnis. Both husband and wife were possessed by a ghost. When the ghost would become active, the couple would be unable to eat or drink. They carried out a thorough reading of Gurucharitra126 and performed various religious ceremonials but in vain. At last, both along with two to four people went to Ganagapur to render devotional service. On the way, they took a halt at Akkalkot for Sri Swami Samarth’s ‘Darshan’. By the ‘Divine Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji, Subnis couple were very much impressed. The couple wanted to go to Ganagapur to get rid of their pain. Therefore, they requested Sri Swamiji with prayers for the necessary permission to go to Ganagapur. Sri Swamiji said, “You need not go to Ganagapur. I will destroy the ghost”. Then the couple continued their stay at Akkalkot itself by rendering devotional service such as reading Gurucharitra, collecting alms, circumambulation of the Audumbar tree etc. Initially the ghost was very much intoxicated. However, as the devotional service increased the ghost started becoming more and more weak. Then the ghost broke into tears and started uttering, “What should I do now? I cannot continue to bear this harsh beating”. After a period of five years, the ghost quit the couple’s bodies and fled. The lawyer, Subnis, stayed at Akkalkot and continued his legal practice. After a while the ghost started troubling the Subnis couple again. Then Subnis brought this to the kind notice of Sri Swamiji. Then Sri Swamiji said, “Why do you require this mediation? ”. Subnis immediately gave up his legal practice and utilised the money earned by this legal practice to render devotional service at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Subnis’s mother prayed to Sri Swamiji “Since my daughter-in-law is child-less, all this property will become useless”. Then Sri Swamiji blessed Saraswati, the wife of Subnis, by giving a coconut and within a year itself Saraswati gave birth to a son. The entire family became devoted to Sri Swamiji and started visiting Akkalkot regularly to render devotional service.
Removal of Poverty
Poverty is a curse for mankind. However, individual fate forces people to undergo sufferings due to poverty. Sri Swamiji has showered his kind grace on a number of devotees to rid them of poverty and direct them to the virtuous path of devotion.
Basappa Teli
When Sri Swami Samarth was in Mangalvedha, Solapur District, Maharashtra, a poor man named Basappa Teli started rendering devotional service. Sri Swamiji would roam in the forests and Basappa Teli would follow him to render devotional service. Basappa’s wife was making ends meet by doing odd jobs as a day labourer. A number of days passed like this. Once Sri Swamiji became compassionate towards Basappa and showered his kind grace. Sri Swamiji took him to the forest of Kathavan Village. By that time the sun had set and thousands of snakes were seen moving around in the forest. Sri Swamiji told Basapppa “Take as many snakes as you want. Do not be afraid”. Basappa started trembling with fear. Finally, garnering some courage and repeating the name of Sri Swamiji Basappa caught hold of one snake, nearly two feet long, wrapped it in a piece of cloth and held it under his armpit. Sri Swamiji said “Whatever is under your armpit, take it with you and lead your life happily with your children. Now, go home”. Basappa returned home. His wife became very happy seeing the bundle brought by Basappa. She found gold equal to the size of the snake, which Basappa had picked up. Basappa’s poverty was rid off. His family became very happy. Basappa continued rendering his devotional service at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. He continued going to Akkalkot every year for Sri Swamiji ‘Darshan’.
Weaver
A weaver, great devotee of Sri Swami Samarth, lived in Mangalvedha. He was very poor. He maintained himself by begging. After Sri Swami Samarth’s ‘Darshan’ he started rendering service at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. He continued the service for nearly three months. Sri Swamiji was pleased and showered his kind grace on him. The weaver got visionary insight and in his vision, Sri Swamiji told him “Your father was a big merchant. When he had been to the fair, at Pandharpur, he died. Your mother had already died earlier. Your father buried large amount of wealth under a Tulsi165 plant in your backyard. Dig out that wealth”. He went home after taking the orders of Sri Swamiji. He dug out large amount of wealth under the Tulsi Plant. He became very happy. His life changed completely. He continued rendering devotional service to Sri Swamiji.
Bandoba Puranik
Bandoba served the ruler of the then Akkalkot state as a Puranik166. At that time,
Shahaji Raje, father of Maloji Raje, was the ruler. The ruler had given in writing to Puranik that, in case he gets the ruling rights of the State, from the King of the then Satara State in Maharashtra, he would give a land worth of one thousand rupees as prize to Puranik. Shahaji Raje, got the ruling rights from the king of Satara State, but he forgot to keep up his promise to Puranik. Therefore, Puranik was started to request and remind Shahaji Raje regarding the grant of the prize land, but in vain. After a few days Shahaji Raje passed away and Puranik was disappointed. Puranik would take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ on a daily basis. One day when Puranik narrated his problem to Sri Swamiji, Sri Swamiji said, “Have I not given you a Linga96? ”. Puranik kept quiet. After the death of Shahaji Raje, ten gifts to be given in charity as per the convention of Hindu Religion, included land gift too. Chintopant Tol, the chief officer of the Royal Court, advised Maloji Raje, to give the land gift to Puranik. So the land was gifted to Puranik family from generation to generation. There was a temple of Rameshwar167 on this land. The land also had a Stream flowing through it and lots of fruit trees. Sri Swamiji had promised him the Linga of Lord Shiva and Puranik got the Linga in the form of the temple of the Rameshwar Temple. Puranik became a very rich man.
Good Fortune Of The Cook
A rich man of Prabhu Community had come to Akkalkot for the ‘Darshan’ of Sri
Swamiji. A Brahmin cook accompanying the rich man carried a plate in his hand with articles for worship and food offerings to the deity. When the Brahmin placed the plate in the presence of Sri Swamiji, Sri Swamiji roared, “You rascal, five thousand rupees are kept for you. Take that money and go. Do not forget to take that money”. Listening to the words of Sri Swamiji, the Brahmin spoke “Maharaj, I am a cook. Where can I get five thousand rupees? ”. Sri Swamiji kept silent. Behind the place where Sri Swamiji sat, a Muslim mendicant and a black dog became visible. Pointing in that direction, Sri Swamiji asked the Brahmin cook to feed the mendicant and the dog. The Brahmin cook placed the plate containing the food in front of the mendicant and the dog. Both ate the offered food leaving behind five morsels of food, in the plate. The plate was brought home. There was confusion whether to eat the leftover food in the plate as prasad or not. The rich man made enquiries but nobody clarified his doubt. Finally he asked Sri Swamiji about the leftover food. Sri Swamiji replied “If you want to eat the food, then take it, else return it to me”. So after returning home the rich man, and the others, accepted that food as prasad. They went back to Mumbai. The Brahmin cook previously worked as a cook for the rich man’s aunt. She was very rich. Observing the honest nature of the Brahmin cook she gave him rupees five thousand as gift. Later on, in future, the rich man Prabhu also became more prosperous. By the blessings of the leftover food taken as prasad, the poverty of the Brahmin cook was wiped off.
Wife during Past-Birth
A Brahmin couple from Konkan in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, came and stayed in Akkalkot, to render devotional service to Sri Swamiji. At that time poverty stricken Teli168 with his children too had come for Sri Swamiji’s blessings. One day as the Konkani Brahmin stood near Sri Swamiji waiving a chowrie169, Sri Swamiji spoke to Radhabai, the Brahmin’s wife, “Limbe (Possibly this might be her name in her past birth) come here, This Teli was your husband in your past life. You had given birth to these three children now accompanying this Teli. Extend your motherly love to them”. Radhabai felt ashamed and the devotees present there were stunned. Teli’s children were all elder to Radhabai. When they came to know from Sri Swamiji, that Radhabai was their mother, they started calling her ‘mother’. Suddenly her motherly love started blossoming. Radhabai embraced her children and fondled them with love. The aged Teli was overpowered with emotions and his eyes filled with tears. Sri Swamiji ordered Radhabai, “Limbe, go with Teli to his house. There under the coloured wooden pillar, you had buried a metal vessel filled with wealth for the use of Teli family. Get that vessel buried under the pillar and give it to this Teli. That wealth will drive away the poverty of this Teli and you also will give birth to a son”.
Govind Shastri
There was a gentleman named Govind Shastri in Akkalkot. He was a devotee and was free from worldly attachment. However, he had family worries. He strongly felt that if the maintenance problems of his family were taken care of then he would be free from anxiety and can wholeheartedly concentrate on rendering devotional service to Sri Swami Samarth. He would say, “I am really tired of carrying out the functions of being a family priest”. One day, at an opportune moment, he spoke to Sri Swamiji regarding the same. Sri Swamiji said, “In your backyard there is a betal-nut tree. Take whatever is buried under that tree and then live happily doing Naamsmaran81”. Govind Shastri came home and started digging under the tree and lo! He got the buried treasure. Then Govind was freed from all the worries of Govind Shastri and he got engaged in rendering service to Sri Swamiji with great devotion. When Sri Swamiji took MahaSamadhi , Govind Shastri went to Banaras, the holy place of Lord Vishwanath170 (Lord Shiva), now known as, Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh.
Kanoji Brahmin
In Mumbai there was a gentleman named Govindrao. He went on a pilgrimage to
holy places and then came to Ganagapur along with a Kanoji Brahmin. There he started performing religious ceremonials. One day, both got a visionary insight wherein Lord Sriguru spoke to them “My personal SELF is present in Akkalkot. Go there and your wish will be fulfilled”. Accordingly, both went to Akkalkot and started rendering devotional service at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Kanoji Brahmin would food to Sri Swamiji and Sri Swamiji would accept the same. One day Sri Swamiji spoke to the Brahmin “In that mosque out of the village, a fakir is sitting along with a dog. Go and feed them food”. The Brahmin went to the Mosque. Seeing the Brahmin, the fakir spoke “You are sent by Sri Swamiji. Give me the food offerings”. The Brahmin placed the plate containing the food offerings in front of the fakir. The fakir and the dog ate the food, leaving some Vada171 and Kheer172 in the plate. The Brahmin took the plate with the leftover Vada and Kheer and came to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji asked the Brahmin and Govindrao to eat the leftover Prasad of Vada and Kheer. Govindrao hesitated as to how to take the left over food, eaten by a fakir and a dog? However, the Brahmin ate the Prasad. Sri Swamiji became very pleased with the Brahmin and said, “Go to Mumbai. There you will get ten thousand rupees”. He told Govindrao “Your devotion is still not ripe. Hence continue the devotional service”. Kanoji Brahmin returned to Mumbai. A rich merchant had just died. His widow wanted to give anonymous donation in charity. One day she sat at the entrance of her house with ten thousand rupees. She decided to give the anonymous donation to the first Brahmin who appears. By coincidence, Kanoji Brahmin happened to pass by that side. The merchant’s wife gave the package containing the anonymous donation to him since he was the first Brahmin she came across. Words of Sri Swamiji manifested. The Brahmin happily returned to his hometown with continuous shouts of Victory in the praise of Sri Swamiji.
Marwadi
A young man from Marwad, Rajasthan state, came to Akkalkot and stayed there
to render devotional service unto Sri Swami Samarth. He would get several letters from his family to return home, but for three years he continued his stay in Akkalkot. One day his father and uncle came to Akkalkot to take him home along with them. When they asked for Sri Swamiji’s permission, Sri Swamiji addressed the young man “Go home now and then come here whenever you wish to come”. Taking orders from Sri Swamiji, they worshipped him and offered food to Swamiji. Before leaving Akkalkot, they all went to Sri Swamiji for his ‘Darshan’. At that time, Sri Swamiji was present in the locality of the Mahar community173. The young man prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and prayed for his blessings and favour. Sri Swamiji spoke to him “There is nothing to give or take here. If you want any favour, pick up and take with you four bones lying over there”. A big heap of bones was lying nearby. The young man nervously picked up four bones from that heap and put them in a cloth bundle. After reaching his home, he kept the cloth bundle containing the bones outside the house. Next day, when he went to pick up the cloth bundle, he found it very heavy. When he opened that bundle, he was surprised to find pure gold weighing five seers162. This drove away the poverty of his house completely. He became a dedicated devotee of Sri Swamiji. After a few days, when he returned to Akkalkot to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ he offered ten tolas of gold to Sri Swamiji. When he gave the details of this incident, all devotees came to know about this miracle. The devotees started continuous shouts of victory in the praise of Sri Swami Samarth.
Prasad of Bones
One day, out of pleasure, Sri Swamiji went and sat in the locality of Mahar community. As usual, Sri Swamiji’s devotees started visiting this locality for his
‘Darshan’. A Brahmin afflicted by extreme poverty stayed in Akkalkot since a number of days rendering devotional service to Sri Swamiji. He also went to the Mahar locality to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. At that time Sri Swamiji was playing with the bones, which lay there. He spoke to the Brahmin “Take away as many bones as you want”. The Brahmin started hesitating and thinking as to how to touch those bones? Nearby, a servant of Sri Swamiji was present. He spoke to the Brahmin “What does your body contain? Is it gold or bones? ”. At last the Brahmin felt ashamed and hesitatingly picked up two to four bone pieces and went back home. Once he came home he kept the bundle of cloth with bones outside his house. Next day he felt that the cloth bundle was very heavy. When he opened the package he found gold instead of bones. He started repenting as to why did he fail to pick up more bones. One gets only that much as per one‘s luck. He considered himself happy. By that gold all his needs were met. He returned home by singing songs in the praise of Sri Swamiji.
Bones Turned To Gold
A person afflicted with poverty went and stayed at Akkalkot for a short period to
render devotional service unto Sri Swamiji. He would always stand with folded hands in front of Sri Swamiji. One day Sri Swamiji went and sat in the Mahar locality. This poor devotee also went there and stood before Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji said, “Take some bones and go home”. The devotee started to hesitate taking the bones. However, only due to Sri Swamiji’s command he picked up few bones, put them in a cloth, and kept the bundle at a distance far away from him. Again he stood there with folded hands in front of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji said, “Now go home. Why are you standing here?”. Returning home the poor devotee found gold in that cloth bag. The kind-hearted Sri Swamiji got rid of his poverty forever.
Lump of Earth Became Silver
A Telangi Brahmin with an intention of getting wealthy went on a pilgrimage.
Eventually, he came to Akkalkot and stood before Sri Swami Samarth for his ‘Darshan’. Sri Swamiji asked him “What do you want? ”. The Brahmin replied, “I am annoyed by my extreme poverty. I am burdened with heavy debts. By your kind grace please relieve me from this burden”. Sri Swamiji said, “I am an ascetic. Where is the money with me? If you want, you take away the earth from that heap”. The Brahmin said, “What shall I do with this earth? ”. Sri Swamiji said, “If you do not want, then go away”. Just so to obey Sri Swamiji’s orders, the Brahmin picked up a lump of earth, put it in his cloth bag and returned home. After walking for some distance, he felt that his cloth bag is getting heavy. So he opened the bag and to his disbelief found white pure silver instead of the earth, which he had picked up. He became ecstatic and returned home singing devotional songs in the praise of Sri Swami Samarth.
Employment Worth One-Lakh Rupees
Ganesh Ballal Mulekar was a great devotee of Sri Swami Samarth. He has written biography of Sri Swamiji in Marathi. Initially he worked as bailiff174 in a court. His brother arranged for a clerk’s job to Mulekar in Collector’s office. However, bad luck took over and he was removed from the job because of his bad handwriting. He became very unhappy and he went to Sri Swamiji to get solace. When Mulekar came to Akkalkot Sri Swamiji was seated on the bare street itself. Mulekar prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and paid his obeisance. Then he went to the town and prepared Naivedya140 and brought it back to offer the same to Sri
Swamiji. Nevertheless, Sri Swamiji did not accept the offering. Every day Mulekar would come with Naivedya to render his devotional service to Sri Swamiji. One day Sri Swamiji’s servant asked Mulekar as to whether he could arrange to bring some curd for Sri Swamiji, since it was Ramnavami175 the following day. Mulekar said, “Certainly. I will bring curd. Please help me. I have lost my job. Please pray on my behalf and ask Sri Swamiji as to when I will get my new job “ The servant prayed to Sri Swamiji. Then Sri Swamiji said, “You have got the job. Go now”. Mulekar still had a little doubt. He prayed and asked Sri Swamiji “What would be the salary? ”. Then Sri Swamiji said “Worth one lakh rupees”. Ganesh Mulekar wanted to go from Akkalkot to Ganagapur. He had saved the essential amount for going to Ganagapur. However, Sri Swamiji asked him to bring a coconut. Mulekar felt very bad as he had to spend those four annas176. But while walking on the street he got a eight-anna coin. Mulekar returned home from Ganagapur. To his surprise he found an appointment letter for the post of a clerk in the Collector’s office waiting for him. Within a few days his salary was raised to Rupees twenty, and posted in Assistant Collector’s office. Same day he was transferred to Akkalkot and there he got an opportunity to render devotional service to Sri Swami Samarth. By the kind grace of Sri Swamiji, he became a Head clerk within five years. In the same year he became Assistant Collector of Revenue.
Ganesh Mulekar, who was removed from the service on the grounds of bad handwriting, the same person went on getting promoted to higher posts by the kind grace of Sri Swamiji. Moreover, Ganesh Mulekar became an exclusive devotee of Sri Swamiji. By the kind blessings of Sri Swamiji, Mulekar got a job worth one-lakh rupees.
Madhavacharya
There lived a learned Brahmin by name Madhavacharya in a village Shirgur located on the bank of Bhima River. He was in heavy debt. His wife had passed away. He started going crazy. Ultimately he came to Akkalkot to seek refuge at the lotus feet of Sri Swami Samarth. No sooner Madhavacharya came under the look of Sri Swamiji; he said, “Be alert for the auspicious wedding” and gave coconut as a blessing to the Brahmin. All the attendant devotees started making fun of Madhavacharya. This annoyed him and so he complained to Sri Swamiji “Maharaj, people are making fun of me. In this old age, how I can get married? My age is nearing fifty years now. I am also under burden of a heavy debt of rupees five thousand”. Sri Swamiji said, “Go back, the way same way you came here”. So after taking the ‘Darshan’ and blessings of Sri Swamiji, the Brahmin returned to his relative’s house at village Shirol. There were two marriages planned on the very next day at the residence of his relative. At the very auspicious moment the bridegroom planned for the elder daughter did not turn up, so her father got her married to Madhavacharya. Thus the kind grace of Sri Swamiji was showered on Madhavacharya. When he went back to Akkalkot along
with his newly married wife, Sri Swamiji blessed the couple “Go home. You will be freed from the burden of your debt and you will live long happily with your children and grand children”. Within a period of few days, Madhavacharya got relieved from his heavy debt and he was also blessed with a son in due time.
Nawroji Parsee
A Parsee gentleman named Barjor was employed in Akkalkot. His relative Nawroji came to his house. One day, all though the night both were talking about something. Barjor did not believe in the numerous miraculous works of Sri Swami
Samarth. All of a sudden Sri Swamiji appeared before them. Nawroji prostrated before Sri Swamiji, offered his obeisance, and then prayed, “I am burdened with heavy debt. Kindly relieve me from this debt and bless me with prosperity”. Sri Swamiji said, “If you get wealth what would you offer me? ”. Nawroji replied, “I promise to offer one-fourth of the wealth at your lotus feet”. Sri Swamiji said, “Go towards Narmada River”. So saying Sri Swamiji disappeared from there. The next day Nawroji came to know that Sri Swamiji has gone to a nearby village, Rampur. So he went to Rampur to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Sri Swamiji said, “There is a call from Gujarath. Go there”. Therefore, Nawroji came to Mumbai and learnt that there was a call from the king Malharrao Gaikwad of the then Baroda State. He went to Baroda. The king offered him abundant wealth in honour and gave him a responsible job of bringing Sri Swamiji to Baroda. Sri Swamiji did not go to Baroda but Nawroji got enough wealth. As per the promise, he worshipped Sri Swamiji utilising the one-fourth of his wealth in that devotional service.
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