Three Ascetics
Once, three ascetics belonging to Giri, Puri and Bharati sects, came to Akkalkot.
After hearing the name of Sri Swamiji, they started asking, “Who is this Swamiji? From where did he come from? What is the spiritual stage of this Swamiji? Is he a Hans212, or a Param Hans213? Even after being an ascetic he is seen either lying on a bed or rolling on a bed and pillow. Where is the punishment for him? Which scriptures represent and justify his path of behaviour? ”. Seeing the arrogance of these ascetics the people present there said, “You should personally meet Sri Swamiji and then get your doubts clarified”. When those three ascetics went in front of Sri Swamiji, their tongue became very heavy and their speech was arrested. They were unable to talk in spite of their frantic efforts. They all got confounded. They could not bear the sight of Sri Swamiji’s Divine splendour. Repenting themselves, they prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji got softened with pity. Sri Swamiji put some holy ash on their tongues and the speech was restored. Then they started singing in the praise of Sri Swamiji and started saying “Sri Swamiji, your miraculous works are even incomprehensible for the Vedas. Now we pray to you to kindly guide us as to which path should we follow for our welfare? How could we get liberated from the illusion and attain divine favours?”. Sri Swamiji spoke to them with open-heart “Keep full faith in the words of saints. Seek their shelter, sacrifice your ego and devote your time for singing, worshiping and continuous repetition of God’s name. Be happy with whatever you get. Do not harass any animal physically, mentally, or by speech. Maintain your cordial relations with me. Remember that God is the doer and he gets things done as well. Take shelter of devotion. When your worship to God gets accomplished, you will be fully satisfied. Thus the pride of those three ascetics was totally destroyed. They remained in Akkalkot rendering devotional service to Sri Swamiji till their end.
Ramacharya
Once, when Sri Swami Samarth was in Khedmanoor Village, he put himself up in
the temple of Goddess Yellamma. The headman of that village, Appasaheb Patil, was a devotee of Sri Swamiji. He performed Shodshopchar worship of Sri Swamiji and gave the water by which he had washed the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji to his family members. There was a learned man of Vaishnav190 sect named Ramacharya in this village as well. Seeing the honour offered to Sri Swamiji by Appasaheb Patil, Ramacharya started fretting and fuming with jealousy. He started making critical remarks about Sri Swamiji. He would say “This ascetic is totally corrupted. He has no caste, no kith and kin nor any family. He sits wherever he likes and our headman Appasaheb Patil takes that water used in washing the feet of that ascetic Sri Swamiji”. Seetaramacharya advised Ramacharya “It is not good to talk anything about anybody without any prior investigation. So let us carry on some tests of Sri Swamiji”. Both these Vaishnav Brahmins decided that they will keep in mind the first half verses each from Rigveda, Bhagwadgita and Bhagwat along with their meaning and if Swami Maharaj tells us the second half of each verse along its meaning, then we will consider Sri Swamiji as incarnation of Lord Dattatrey. Next morning Sri Swamiji got up. He had not even touched the Hukka214. By then, those Vaishnav Brahmins came over to test Sri Swamiji. Since they had come test Sri Swamiji, then how would they offer their salutations to him?. So without even offering their salutations, they started to test Sri Swamiji. However, to their disbelief, whatever verses came up in the minds of those Brahmins, Sri Swamiji started singing the same in a sweet and melodious tone. Hearing this, the Brahmins felt ashamed and prayed to Sri Swamiji to forgive their serious offence. Then they started singing in praise of Sri Swamiji and became his devotees.
Shankaracharya
Once, Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar Muth, who had undertaken a pilgrimage, came to Akkalkot. Maloji Raje, the King of the then State of Akkalkot, received him with due honour and made good arrangement for his stay. Then the king performed ‘Shodshopchar’ worship of Shankaracharya. The king offered food to all Brahmins who were present there. By that time, Sri Swamiji also arrived there to see the festival. A Brahmin prayed him to be seated in the row meant for Brahmins to take food. However, the other Brahmins who were sitting in that row started whispering amongst themselves, “This ascetic takes food anywhere. So arrange to serve him food separately and not in our row”. All the Brahmins sitting there were inspired by this evil thought and suddenly there was a miracle. Worms were seen writhing in the plates filled with sumptuous food. The Brahmins sitting in the row were horrified to see those worms. The old Brahmin, who had offered a seat to Sri Swamiji in that row, said, “Lord Dattatrey himself has been insulted. Hence this has happened”. Then the Jagadguru21 Shankaracharya123 realised his grave mistake. He offered his prayers to Sri Swamiji and said “Kindly forgive me for this serious offence. In fact you are the real Jagadguru. Because of the false arrogance due to authoritative power, I have committed a serious offence. Kindly show mercy on me and accept this seat reserved for me”. Sri Swamiji started uttering abuses and said, “I am a corrupted ascetic and those three Shastries215 who are sitting in the row along with you, have been born by Muslim youth. Ask these Shastries and their mothers. You are the great teacher of advaita philosophy and preceptor of the people. Then how did you allow those three Muslim-born Shastries in this row meant for Brahmins?. By shaving head, beard, and moustache do you think that a person becomes an ascetic? Please tell me, a person who studies the ‘scriptural sciences’ becomes corrupted or not? ”. After listening to those words of Sri Swamiji, all those Shastri Brahmins lowered their heads in shame. They prostrated at the lotus feet of Shri Swamiji and prayed for forgiveness. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji forgave them. By this incident, Shankaracharya realised the supreme power of Sri Swamiji.
Keep your Greatness in Your Own House
King Maloji Raje of the then State of Akkalkot was a devotee of Sri Swamiji. Every Thursday the king would go for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Once he went for the ‘Darshan’ riding on an elephant. After seeing Sri Swamiji, he got down from the elephant, went ahead bare-footed and prostrated with his head resting on the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. However, the King received a powerful slap from Sri Swamiji, and his turban fell down. The King got terribly scared. With anger, Sri Swamiji started yelling at him “Keep your greatness in your own house. What is the necessity of that greatness here? I make many kings like you out of this game of chess”. The King realised his serious mistake. From that day onwards, whenever he would go for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he would leave his horse and elephant far away from the view of Sri Swamiji and then walk barefooted.
Narayan Bhat
In Solapur, there was a Brahmin named Narayan Bhat. Occasionally under the pretext of taking Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he would come to Akkalkot but he had no faith towards Sri Swamiji. Passing critical remarks against Sri Swamiji in the presence of people, he would say, “Who is this Swami? He eats anywhere and he sleeps anywhere. He doesn’t do any work. He does not follow any rules about untouchability. What type of ascetic is he? ”. Once he went to Akkalkot. He went with others to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ and stood there watching as if watching some fun. Observing his bad intentions, Sri Swamiji said, “Go away screaming from here”. Without bothering for those words of Sri Swamiji, he returned home in an arrogant manner. After coming home, he learnt that there was theft in his house worth three to four thousand rupees (a huge amount during those days). He was shocked and he started thrashing his head. He repented very much. Finally he gave up his ego and engaged himself in the devotion of Sri Swamiji.
City Of Injustice
Dajeeba Bhosle was a trusted prime minister of the King of Akkalkot, Maloji Raje. He was very unjust and tyrannical. Because of his bad conduct he was driven out
from the state by the then British Government. However, King Maloji Raje tried his best and stood bail for Dajeeba Bhosle and got him released. Sri Swamiji was very displeased with Maloji Raje, for getting him released and standing bail to a person like Dajeeba, who would always harass poor people. Due to this incident Sri Swamiji with a seemingly angry and red face was speaking with Narsimharao Bhosle in an angered tone “What type of mischief is this? Who has brought this cunning thief from custody? He has been released but again he will get arrested and taken away”. The King Maloji Raje got this message. Nevertheless, there was no adverse effect on him since he did not bother much about Sri Swamiji’s words.
After the return of Dajeeba in the state, injustice, and harassment started all over again. Dajeeba and his companions like Magistrate Barjoji Manikji and Srinivas Subedar started harassing people. Injustice spread in the city on a large scale. Severe punishment was being given for minor offences. People were openly disgraced in a disrespectful manner. Tax was increased. People complained to the British Government’s agent. There was a rumour that the state is getting dissolved. However, the King and his coterie of people did not pay attention to this rumour. Once, Sri Swamiji was sitting on a low square seat of the palace. Magistrate Barjoji riding on a horse was entering the palace and Sri Swamiji yelled at him “If you come ahead, I will break your head. Vagabond. Thief. You burnt my children. You set them on fire? ”. When Barjoji out of fear, started backtracking, Sri Swamiji uttered a word “Dissolved”. There was a miracle! Within just a few days the then Akkalkot State, was dissolved by the British Government. Dajeeba was arrested. Barjoji and Subhedar Srinivas fled to the then Hyderbad State and a lawsuit was instituted against King Maloji Raje. Thus the arrogance of everyone was shattered.
One Should Not Imitate Anyone’s Style
Gopalbua Kelkar was a great devotee of Sri Swamiji. He built a Muth in Chiplun and installed the Padukas of Sri Swamiji. One day a saint came to the Muth. Gopalbua asked the saint “Maharaj, which place do you belong? From where did you come now? ”. The saint said, “What do I know? ”. Gopalbua was very impressed hearing those words and he started imitating his style. Gopalbua had gone to a village to collect alms. Someone asked him there “Bua, where do you come from? ”. Gopalrao replied, “What do I know? ”. The inner-spirited Sri Swamiji read Gopalbua’s mind. After a few days Gopalbua went to Akkalkot. When he took Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, he asked Gopalbua “Which place do you come from? ”. Gopalrao replied, “I am from Chiplun”. Again there was a question “well! Where is Chiplun? ”. Reply given “It is in Konkan”. Again there was a question “Where is Konkan? ”. Reply given “It is below the Ghat (Hill)”. Sri Swamiji again questioned him “Where is the ghat? ”. Now there was a flash of lightening in Gopalbua’s mind, he understood that Sri Swamiji is putting these questions under the pretext of testing him. The blind imitation of the saint was costing him dear in the presence of Sri Swamiji. Then Gopalbua spoke “Maharaj, I do not know about Konkan”. Sri Swamiji started laughing very loudly. Gopalbua got very much ashamed and started repenting.
Kotikoop
Similar incident took place even in a holy place like Rameshwar. There, the temple priest was collecting tax from people for taking bath in the holy water of Kotikoop216. When Sri Swamiji went there to take bath, the temple priests stopped him. Then Sri Swamiji performed a miracle. Worms started appearing, writhing with pain, in the Kotikoop. Foul stench started coming from the water. People stopped going to the Kotikoop. As a result, the daily income of those temple priests stopped completely. Greediness and egoism is always followed by repentance. They all repented and prayed for Sri Swamiji’s forgiveness. Only then the holy water of Kotikoop got automatically purified.
Traditional Hypocrisy
Outside Akkalkot, there is a small temple of Sri Rama. In this temple, a gentleman Baba Sabnis would hold daily discussions on Vedanta. Sri Swamiji would also come and take a seat. Kashinath Mhaswade and Baba Phadnis, both Warkaris217 also came for the discussions. However, those warkari people did not have any implicit faith towards Sri Swamiji. One day Kashinath Mhaswade said, “Sri Swamiji has become crazy. People are becoming crazy after Sri Swamiji in vain. He has fallen from grace after becoming an ascetic. By the influence of Sri Swamiji, our Baba Sabnis is also reshuffling loose sheets of those religious books on Vedanta”. During the same time, a serpent bit one person sitting in that temple. Everyone became nervous. Kashinath Mhaswade brought the snake-bitten person to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji spoke “Even if I am crazy and fallen from grace, what does your father loose? You get readymade food to eat. Hence you get time to make fun of somebody. Is it not? I know all your hypocrisy, your rites and customs like applying an auspicious mark on the forehead, putting a garland on one’s neck, observing pollution caused by contact with the untouchables, are all humbug”. The concerned people started perspiring with shame hearing Sri Swamiji’s blunt speech. They all prayed for his forgiveness. By the kind of mercy of Sri Swamiji, the person who was bitten by snake became perfectly well.
Deception By The Milkman
The festival of Gurupratipada218 was being celebrated in the Muth of Sri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot. Arrangements were made to feed Brahmins with sumptuous
meals. For the festival, milkman Malloo sold milk at twice the price, still it was found that water was added to the milk. After boiling the milk, it got completely spoilt. How can this word remain hidden from Sri Swamiji? Milkman Malloo had fifteen-twenty shebuffaloes. There was a miracle. Those she-buffaloes did not allow Malloo at all to milk them. Instead of milk, blood started oozing out from the udders of the buffaloes. The milkman became terrified seeing the blood. He tried all remedial treatments but in vain. He became very frustrated and started repenting. He went weeping to Sri Swamiji, Prayed for forgiveness and swore that he would never cheat in the future. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji forgave the milkman with kind mercy and then his shebuffaloes started giving milk. Forgetting his ego, the milkman started rendering service by providing one seer of milk to the Muth daily for the ‘Prasad’.
Repentance Itself Is Atonement
Sri Swamiji had come to Solapur from Akkalkot. There, lakhs of people started pouring in to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. There was a merchant by name Chanbasappa. Seeing the pomp and prosperity of Sri Swamiji, he spoke to another merchant, Siddhappa Karanje, “Today, merchants, shopkeepers, children, women and men of Solapur have all gone to take ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji of Akkalkot. They are all foolish. Forgetting God Siddheshwar219 of Solapur, people have gone crazy after an ascetic, Sri Swamiji”. Siddappa was a devotee. He spoke “Why should we commit sin by censuring God, Guru and the saints? Let us go and witness the Divine Power of Sri Swamiji”. Therefore, Chanbasappa and Siddappa both went for the ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji. There was a miracle. Chanbasappa witnessed Goddess Parvati along with God Siddheshwar Kailasnath seated in the place of Sri Swamiji himself and glaring with splendour. He became nervous, started trembling with fear and prayed for the kind forgiveness.
Then Sri Swamiji advised, “You have already repented. Repentance itself is atonement. Sin gets washed away and the mind gets purified”.
The kind-hearted Sri Swamiji put down his pride and gave him a sense of oneness.
Brahmin Paid Heavily For His Ego
A woman Shivubai, from the then Hyderabad State, along with her son, had come to Akkalkot to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Her son had become blind, after the thread ceremony. She prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and prayed for the restoration of eyesight of her son. Sri Swamiji said, “Five giants are coming to test me. At that time, your son will get his eyesight restored”. In the meantime, five stout Vaishnav Brahmins, puffed with pride, came there to test Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji spoke to Shivubai’s kid “Ganesh, come here, just speak out sentence by sentence stored in these Brahmin’s mind along with the correct answer”. Sri Swamiji took out his garland and gave it to Ganesh to wear it. He then moved a marigold flower on both eyes of Ganesh. Instantly the boy started talking as his eyesight was restored. He refuted all the doubts stored in the minds of those Brahmins. All the Vaishnav Brahmins became ashamed and prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji then spoke to their religious instructor, “Because I eat food given by anybody, you slandered me and tried to test me. But your mother committed adultery with several Muslims. You were born to a Muslim father by name Imambaksh”. Hearing these words the religious instructor Brahmin was embarrassed. He repented and prayed to Sri Swamiji for cleansing his sin. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji became merciful towards him and said “Now go and take bath in the river Ganga (Ganges) and follow Bhagwat Dharma220”. The pride emanating from wealth, youth and knowledge always brings an impediment in the path of religious and spiritual progress. Therefore a Guru always destroys the pride of his devotee. When the human body itself is unreal, then what is the use of that pride? The well known saint Meerabai has said- “Dhana-Jobanaka Garab na keejai ! Jhootha Panchranga Chola re!”
Improper Behaviour
Having being caught in the web of Maya221, a living being commits acts of adultery, malpractice, tyranny, and wickedness. Puffed up with one’s strength, authority, and power, a living being commits malpractice, just by closing his eyes like a cat, but the all powerful God comes to know everything. Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj severely condemned such double-faced persons and also meted out punishment to shatter their ego.
Pollution in Sohoni’s House
Sri Swamiji went to Pandharpur from Mangalvedha and then came to Mohol. There he took a halt in the house of the Mamlatdar, Ganesh Hari Sohoni. It was the day of Ganeshotsav222. On that day, Kirtan was being held in Sohoni’s house. It was midnight and raining outside. In such a situation, Sri Swamiji went out of the house. Even after constant earnest requests, Sri Swamiji did not go inside the house. Sri Swamiji told Sohoni “I am experiencing air pollution inside your house. So I will not enter your house”. So saying Sri Swamiji went away in the forest. Sohoni was a devotee but still he was caught in a web of strong sexual desires. He had kept a concubine, in the house. So Sri Swamiji did not stay in the house. Sohoni was not ready to give up his sexual desire. His ill fame had spread everywhere. The collector of Solapur had come to Mohol for investigation. He tried to convince Sohoni in private, “Try to give up your mistress. It is not graceful on part of an officer”. However, Sohoni replied, “This is my personal affair. There is no necessity for you to interfere in my personal affairs”. The collector became very angry. Later on criminal suits were filed against Sohoni. As a result, he lost his job. Ultimately he gave up his mistress. Only after that Sri Swamiji showered his kind mercy on him and he was acquitted. Later on, he got a job in the then state of Baroda.
An Adulteress Exposed
Sri Swamiji always severely condemned adultery. Once, a woman from a rich family came for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Relatives and servants accompanied her. When she offered prayers for the favour of getting a son, Sri Swamiji roared at her and said “You unchaste woman, why do you pray me for the favour of a son? Look there, your lover is sitting. He will give you a son”. Since she was exposed in the presence of all the people, she concealed her face and ran away from there.
The Caste of a Bad Character Woman
A gentleman named Karve from Pune had come for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. After
the first few days, trying to act smart, he asked Sri Swamiji about his caste. Sri Swamiji instantly replied “I am a Yajurvedi Brahmin223. My name is Nrushimhabhan. I belong to the Kashyap Gotra, and my Zodiac sign is Meen (Pisces). If you ask me again, you will get shoe beating. Karve, what is the caste of that coquettish girlfriend of yours, who flirts and gives bed-company to everybody? ”. Hearing these words, Karve prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji out of repentance and prayed, “You are the Supreme being. What shall I do now? Instead of earning such a bad name, it would be better if I die”. Then he started crying. Sri Swamiji said, “Why do you cry? Go and celebrate Holy festival”. After a few days the girl of ill repute died in a holy fire. Thus Karve was liberated from the source of agony.
Illicit Relationship With Own Brother
A gentleman from Pune along with his wife and brother-in-law had come to take
Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. He had no children. His wife offered a Chaturdashguni tambul224 to Sri Swamiji and prayed for a son. Sri Swamiji flew into rage and said “You unchaste woman, you have maintained illicit relationship with your own brother for the last seven years. Instead of feeding this roll of betal leaf to your own brother, why do you give it to me? ”. Hearing those harsh words both, the sister and brother, were astonished and hiding their faces ran away from the scene. The bad character of that woman shocked everyone present there.
A Stage-Player Lover
A Brahmin woman named Janakibai had come for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. She strictly practiced untouchability. She prepared naivedya food and when she went to offer the same to Sri Swamiji. He said, “I do not eat uncontaminated pure food. Feed this to your stage-player”. She was exposed and she became very nervous and stood greatly embarrassed. When she prayed with full praises only then Sri Swamiji accepted a little of the food offered by her as ‘Naivedya’ and said, “In future when you get white spots on your body, there will be awakening of devotion”. After a few days, Janakibai started suffering from white Leprosy and she became engrossed in devotion.
What Type of Progress Is This
Two progress-oriented persons along with their wives had come for Sri Swamiji’s
‘Darshan’. Seeing these people, Sri Swamiji flew in rage “What type of fellows are you? You mutually exchange your wives and get illicit enjoyment. You rascals, do you want to go to hell by committing this sin? ”. When Sri Swamiji exposed their secret, those two people got so much ashamed and embarrassed that they fled the scene.
The Sayings of a Saint
Once, a saint of Kabir-Sect came to Akkalkot. Early in the morning he would go out with an Indian lute in his hand, wearing garland and adoring the auspicious mark on his forehead, singing songs. One day Sri Swamiji was sitting on the porch of someone’s house. At that time the saint was passing by singing with full gestures quoting “This is the sayings of a saint. This is the saying of a saint”. Hearing these words, Sri Swamiji rolled and tossed about laughing. He then started mocking the saint by showing the action of conjugal union by hand and started singing in the same tone “This is the sayings of a saint”. The disciples and devotees sitting there also started laughing. By the gesture of Sri Swamiji, the disciples-devotees understood that the saint is a hypocrite. They followed the saint and reached the place where he had put up. There they found a coquettish woman, busy in the service of that saint. In fact, this so-called saint had enticed a married woman and brought her in his service. Such a saint was moving round singing and advising people to follow the sayings of a saint. Once fully exposed, the so-called saint ran away from Akkalkot.
Radha’s Breasts Got Dissolved
There was a beautiful prostitute named Radha. She came for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. After looking at the lustrous body of Sri Swamiji, Radha had a doubt in her mind as to whether Sri Swamiji had, at any time, enjoyed the companionship of a woman or not. Knowing her thoughts, Sri Swamiji asked her “What is the difference between a man and a woman? ”. Radha replied, “Maharaj, woman’s body is constituted by separate parts like breasts than the body of a man”. Sri Swamiji immediately spoke to her “Give your breasts to the Brahmin. Why are you sitting here looking at me? ”.Hearing this, she went away. Within a few days her breasts started slowly dissolving and her chest became very plain like a man. She greatly repented. She then earned merit by performing charitable acts and finally went to Benaras and lived there till the end.
Vamanrao Gholap
In Pune there was an engineer by name Wamanrao Gholap. He earned lots of money by corruption. With money power he started committing adultery. One day he had been to commit adultery with a lady but they were caught red-handed by her husband who registered a criminal case against him. He lost his sleep. He surrendered himself to Sri Swamiji and started praying, “Akkalkotniwasi Mother, kindly get me released. You protect me from this calamity. Henceforth I shall not commit any such evil act like adultery. Kindly shower your mercy and save me”. Out of repentance, when he gave up all his evil acts and surrendered, the kind-hearted Sri Swamiji showered mercy on Wamanrao and got him acquitted. Then Wamanrao gave up his regular employment and came to Akkalkot to render devotional service to Sri Swamiji. However, before his arrival itself, Sri Swamiji had taken Mahasamadhi. Even after taking Mahasamadhi, Sri Swamiji had manifested himself and saved Gholap. Everybody was amazed by this miraculous work of Sri Swamiji.
Outward Show
Sri Swamiji was the uncommon and rare Yogi. He had great hatred for superficial show. In his miraculous works he has negated superficial show, which a socalled
spiritual person may resort to.
Chandra-Swar (Breathing air out of the left nostril)
Vamanbua Vamorikar, Alais Badodekar, was a great devotee of Sri Swamiji. On
his way to Akkalkot, he got down at Kadal station and took a Tonga225 for his onward journey to Akkalkot. At that time it came to his notice that he is breathing out Surya- Swar226. He felt that for the purpose of Guru-Darshan as per Swar-Shastra227, the Chandra-swar228 is considered more beneficial. Therefore, he tried changing the Surya- Swar to Chandra–Swar through Pranayam. When he failed in his attempt, he skilfully put a ball of cotton in the right nostril to force Chandra-Swar. Thus he started breathing through his left nostril. Having being freed from this anxiety by forcing breathing through Chandra- Swar, he went and stood before Sri Swamiji. The all-knowing Sri Swamiji knew this. Sri Swamiji pressed his right nostril and mocked Vamanbua saying, “Why is it that the Chandra-Swar does not out from my left nostril for Guru-Darshan? ”. He told Wamanbua “Take out that ball of cotton from your nostril. What happens by stopping the breathing of air from one nostril?. Even if the flow of air stops from the nostril, there would be a flow of air from the mouth as well as below the mouth. So stop this farce”. Wamanbua was embarrassed and ashamed. He removed the ball of cotton from
his right nostril and threw it away. He said “The Sadguru, who is free from all troubles, passionless and one with Supreme Bliss and merged into the Divine Self, is Omnipresent. Without realising this fact I stuffed the nostril with the ball of suspicion. By the kind mercy of my Sadguru, I have removed that ball of suspicion and threw it away. Now I am free from suspicion”. Sri Swamiji said “The state of Supreme Bliss does not include the presence of Sun, Moon etc.
Untouchability
Sri Swamiji had a great hatred for the superficial show of untouchability. He would visit anyplace, sit anywhere, and eat food given by anyone irrespective of the person’s status in society, caste, or religion. He had a feeling of equality towards all in his heart. Some people, compelled by their habits, make an outward show of untouchability in front of Sri Swamiji. Once Janakibai from Baroda had prepared unpolluted holy food for ‘naivedya’ and offered the same to Sri Swamiji, but Sri Swamiji refused to accept the food and said, “I do not eat unpolluted holy food”.
Tol Repented
When Sri Swamiji had come to Solapur, Chintopant Tol took him to his house. However, a doubt cropped up in his mind. He began to think, “Sri Swamiji takes food anywhere he likes, so it is not proper to serve him food in the same row as ours. We will serve him food in a separate place”. Reading Tol’s mental thought, Sri Swamiji said, “There is a doubt in your mind. So I shall not take food here”. Tol repented for his grave mistake, prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji, and prayed for forgiveness. Only then kind-hearted Sri Swamiji took food with Tol.
Uncontaminated Food
When Sri Swamiji came to Akkalkot, initially he stayed in Cholappa’s house. There he harassed the family members of Cholappa. Cholappa’s wife observed untouchability, but Sri Swamiji never supported untouchability. He would accept the unpolluted food served by Cholappa’s wife. However, sometimes he would get stark naked and say “Now I will serve food to all of you in a holy condition”. Hearing these words from Sri Swamiji Cholappa’s family would get ashamed.
Outward Show Of Untouchability
While staying in Akkalkot, Gopalbua Kelkar of Chiplun in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra,
went to a well to take a bath. There he requested the Brahmins to give him a vessel to take bath. They refused. Finally, he took a vessel from a person who belonged to the Maratha229 community and took his bath. At that time Balawantrao was also present there. Balwantrao used to help Sri Swamiji while smoking a hukka. He started mocking Gopalbua saying, “Oh! This Kokanya230 has become corrupted. Do not take water polluted by him”. Gopalbua heard these remarks and was deeply hurt. At the same time, someone present there commented, “Give him the Charanodaka231 and purify him”. They gave holy water to Gopalbua. However, the problem did not end there. The same day during dinner someone remarked “Do not keep the leaf-plate (used to serve food) of that corrupted Kokanya in the same rank (row) as ours, but keep separately”.
Sripad Bhat gave moral support to Gopalbua and said that taking Charanodaka has already purified him. However, people present there displayed high-handedness and forced Gopalbua to sit in a separate place. Gopalbua Kelkar was dejected and felt miserable. He was in tears while eating. In the normal row for all the Brahmins, a leaf-plate readied for Sri Swamiji, but Sri Swamiji started uttering abuses and said, “I have become corrupted. Do not touch me. I shall not take food”. He became very angry, went out of that place, and sat on a large heap of garbage. In this way Sri Swamiji displayed strong opposition to observing untouchability and to the injustice meted out towards Gopalbua Kelkar. That day Sri Swamiji did not take any food. Next day those people allowed Gopalbua to take food along with others in the same row, only then Sri Swamiji cooled down. The particular person, who had prevented Gopalbua Kelkar from taking food in the same row as that of others, lost his mental balance due to misfortune.
Earthen Worship
A Brahmin was carrying out earthen idol worship. Even while sitting in front of
Sri Swamiji, he would be busy carrying out idol worship. One day Sri Swamiji spoke to him “Oh! How long would you be spoiling that earth? ”. Hearing these words of Sri Swamiji, he gave up idol worship.
As per the words of Sri Swamiji, Guru-Pooja232 is superior as compared to idol worship.
Mischievous People Brought Under Control
There is no shortage of wicked people who unnecessarily harass, and criticize Saints, Virtuous people, Sages, good people, and the one born as an incarnation of a deity. Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj also had come in contact with such wicked people and he controlled them in his own way. Sri Swamiji eliminated their wickedness and blessed them with devotion.
Ahmad Ali Khan Risaldar
Sri Swami Maharaj dodged servants of Chintopant Tol and reached Akkalkot. There he set up his temporary abode at the city gate. For two to four days no one paid any attention towards him. Ahmad Ali Khan Risaldar, the in-charge of the police station of that area noticed him. He took Sri Swamiji as a crazy person. Some people always enjoy making fun of others. Khan also wanted to make fun of Sri Swamiji and so he put a burning charcoal in to an empty smoking pipe and asked Sri Swamiji “Babaji, would you like to smoke this pipe? ”. Sri Swamiji took the smoking pipe in his hand and took a deep puff. To Khans great disbelief thick smoke started coming out of it. Seeing this miracle, Khan was astounded. Realising that Sri Swamiji is a great sage; he repented and prayed for forgiveness. Then he made the necessary arrangements for Sri Swamiji’s stay in Cholappa’s house. Khan became a devotee of Sri Swamiji.
Miserable Plight Of Puranik
In spite of being a great ascetic Sri Swami Maharaj never behaved like an ascetic. Being an incarnation of Lord Dattatrey Himself, Sri Swamiji was beyond the rules and regulations of ascetism, but very few people were aware of this fact. Therefore some people would secretly comment and pass critical remarks, in bad taste, about Sri Swamiji amongst themselves. There were a number of mischievous persons like this. Puranik, the brother-in-law of Baba Subnis was one amongst them. Once, Puranik passed critical remarks saying “Sri Swamiji being an ascetic, why should he require a mattress to sleep and sit?”. Sri Swamiji didn’t give any reply immediately. A few days later, one fine evening Sri Swamiji was climbing a hill in Kadav village. Puranik was also with Sri Swamiji. It was a winter night. It was dark everywhere. Sri Swamiji climbed the hill and slept on a black rock very comfortably. Puranik was shivering in the cold. He made a request to Sri Swamiji “Maharaj I am shivering with cold. What shall I do? ”. Sri Swamiji replied, “How is a soft mattress? ”. Hearing this, Puranik repented for the critical remarks he had passed against Sri Swamiji. He then prayed to Sri Swamiji for forgiveness. Thereafter he became a devotee of Sri Swamiji instead of just a criticizer. Like human beings, other animals also came under the control of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji, by his miraculous works, brought a positive change in the nature of animals.
She-Monkey
Bambgardsaheb had reared a she-monkey and named her Sundari. She started
pouncing upon people and biting them. Twice she even pounced upon Bambgard saheb, so he gave orders to shoot her. This word reached Sri Swamiji. He asked his attendant to bring the she-monkey to him. Attendant Bhujanga left to carry out his task. He spoke to Sundari, the she-monkey, “Sri Swamiji has sent me to bring you, so you come now”. Hearing this Sundari started to follow Bhujanga, just like a tamed dog. After reaching there, she started to roll at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji. Then Sri Swamiji spoke to her, “Oh! You, do you move about in a naughty manner? From now onwards, do not bite anyone. If you bite, I shall lash you”. From then onwards, the sundari’s nature underwent transformation. It stopped biting people. She would sit on the tree under which Sri Swamiji would take a seat, and remain engrossed in observing Sri Swamiji continuously.
Sparrow
On the outskirts of Akkalkot there is a temple of Lord Rama. One day while on his stroll Sri Swamiji came to the temple. It was 7:00 AM in the morning. A sparrow was continuously twittering on the neem tree nearby. Sri Swamiji would normally visit a nearby village. One day, he spoke to the sparrow, “I will be going to a nearby village and return. Till my return, remain here on the tree. Do not move away from here”. So saying, Sri Swamiji went away. When he returned at 12:00 AM, he found the sparrow sitting silently on the same neem tree. Sri Swamiji spoke to the sparrow “You might be feeling hungry. Now you go”. Hearing these words, the sparrow flew away. This was the power of Sri Swamiji.
Peasant’s Bull
In Akkalkot a peasant’s buffalo got very much frightened due to some reason. It
went and stood on a well. No one was able to catch it all day long. The bull would attack anyone who came near it. Therefore, the peasant went to Sri Swamiji and prayed for help. Sri Swamiji spoke to him “Your bull does not allow anybody to catch it. If you do, it attacks you with horns. Is it not? ”. Then Sri Swamiji got up, went up to the bull, and caught hold of its ear. The bull started following Sri Swamiji like a she-goat. From then onwards, the bull never repeated this mischief.
Startled Elephant
In Mumbai, there was a very senior government officer named Vinayak Vasudeo
alias Kakasaheb. Very often he would visit Akkalkot to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Once he came along with one hundred fifty people and got down at the kadapgam station. Since Kakasaheb was a very senior officer of the British government, the then king of Akkalkot, Rajasaheb had deputed elephants, horses, palanquins etc. along with his officers, in the service of Kakasaheb. Kakasaheb started his return journey after rendering devotional service unto Sri Swamiji for four days. Bidding him farewell Sri Swamiji said “Hurry up, Hurry up”. Kakasaheb had already sent everybody ahead to the station. He was the only one left behind. When he left in a hurry as per Sri Swamiji command, he went and saw that a calamity had befallen at the train station. The loud whistle of the train had startled on of the elephants and he sat on the street itself refusing to move ahead. Children had sat on the canopied seat on the elephant. Seeing this situation, Kakasaheb became very distressed. He remembered Sri Swamiji and called for help. By the kind grace of Sri Swamiji the elephant stood up and started moving ahead towards the station. Thus the calamity was over.
Miracles
The life of a great saint is itself a miracle. Everything Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj did in his incarnation is miraculous in nature. These miraculous works of Sri Swami Samarth are not like magic or jugglery. Magic and Jugglery is temporary in nature. The miraculous works of incarnated saints are exceptionally great. These miraculous works transmit permanent influence and wherever it reaches, those locations are beyond the reach of magic or jugglery. Such miraculous works are always in the public interest and philanthropic in nature. Sri Swamiji, during his lifetime has performed numerous miracles, sometimes for the mental pleasure and sometimes in the favour of the devotees. The primary aim of his miracles was to eliminate the sufferings of his devotees and to make them happy as well. A magician performs miraculous jugglery and gives deception to the public but great saints by their exceptional miraculous works makes one bow their head.
In Bhagwant Sutar’s farm, Sri Swamiji gargled mouthful of water, spit the same in the fire, and set the fire ablaze. There was no water in the well at Mangalvedha. Sri Swamiji filled the well with water. He walked on the water of Narayan-teerth233 and reached the other bank. He filled the ‘Kotikoop’ at the holy place Rameshwar in TamilNadu with worms. He milked a cow, which was not yielding milk. He changed a girl into a boy. He fed hundreds of people out of the food meant for only two to four people. How many miracles can you count? Still there are few examples given below.
Came Out From Closed Door
There is a village called Chalambe on the bank of the Bhima River, near Mangalvedha. Once Sri Swamiji went to the village and took a halt in the Ramadasi Muth. He slept after taking meals. Ramadasi Baba had to go out, so he locked the Muth from outside and left. In the evening, people of the village observed Sri Swamiji playing in the sands of the riverbank. They went and informed Ramadasi Baba. He was amazed to hear this, since the key of the Muth was only with him. So he went to the Muth, opened the lock, and to his disbelief did not find Sri Swamiji inside. There was no other way to go out of the Muth, except the door, which was locked by him. This was a miracle for him. So immediately Ramadasi Baba went to the riverbank, prostrated at the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji and prayed for forgiveness.
Spice-Box Thrown In the Well
Sri Swamiji was taking a walk in the courtyard of the palace of Akkalkot. One servant held a spice-Box made of gold in his hand. Sri Swamiji seized it and asked king Maloji Raje “Shall I throw this box in the well? ”. Raje said, “Maharaj, this belongs to you. You may do whatever you like”. Sri Swamiji threw the box in the well. That day Sri Swamiji stayed in the palace. In the morning, he was playing in the courtyard. By then king Maloji Raje also arrived in the courtyard. Sri Swamiji asked Raje to get a bucket and rope. Then Sri Swamiji dipped the bucket in the well water and pulled it up. The bucket brought up the spice-box thrown the previous day. It was full of cloves and cardamom, but they had not got wet or touched by water. Everyone present were astonished by this miraculous play of Swamiji.
Foot-Prints on the Wooden Seat
Chintopant Tol was offering leaves of holy basil to Vishnu-Panchayatan234, while reciting Vishnu Sahasranaam235. Whenever Sri Swamiji came there at the time of worship, Tol would worship Him and then offer the leaves of holy basil along with the recitation at His lotus feet. One day exactly in the same way, Sri Swamiji arrived there. Chintopant worshipped him and prayed “I strongly desire that at the time of my worship the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji should be always near me”. Sri Swamiji said, “As you wish”. So saying he went away. Footprints of Sri Swamiji got inscribed on the wooden seat where Sri Swamiji was sitting. This wooden-seat is still preserved in the JoshiBuwa’s Muth at Akkalkot.
Sri Swamiji Disappeared
The king of the then Baroda State, Sriman Malharrao Gaikwad, strongly desired that Sri Swami Samarth Maharaj should come and stay in his State. He was ready to spend any amount of money to make this happen. He announced that whoever
succeeds in this work, would be offered a huge gift of land. One of his chieftains, Tatyasaheb accepted the challenge. The king gave him lot of money, costumes, ornaments, and also servants to help him. Tatyasaheb came to Akkalkot and brought Cholappa under control and influence. Cholappa was the most trustworthy disciple of Sri Swamiji, but unfortunately very greedy too. Tatyasaheb held discussions with Cholappa and designed a plot to take Sri Swamiji to Baroda in a train. Finally, they even managed to take Sri Swamiji in a closed palanquin up to Kadapgaon station. After reaching Kadapgaon, Tatyasaheb went ahead to see Sri Swamiji, but to his disbelief he found the palanquin to be empty. Sri Swamiji had disappeared.
Meal of Chillies
Every day Devotees offered food as Naivedya to Sri Swamiji. This food consisted of various types of sweets and exquisite dishes as well. Seeing these sweets and dainty dishes, a clever person started thinking that Sri Swamiji’s life is full of joy. He enjoys the best of opportunity to eat these dainty dishes. The inner-spirited Sri Swamiji came to know about his thoughts. He kept away the food offered by devotees, called for a plate of red chillies and ate them. The clever person, who doubted about Sri Swamiji, became very ashamed and prayed for his forgiveness.
Meals in the Muth of Jangam
In Barsi town, Solapur District, Maharashtra, there is a Muth called Jangam Muth, which belongs to the Lingayat community. Mallikarjun Jangam who belonged to the Muth was a great devotee of Sri Swamiji. One year, during the month of Shravan 236 he arranged for Mahabhojan - Mahaprasad237. At that time, Sri Swamiji had been put up in King Maloji Raje’s palace .Sri Swamiji did not take food for seven days in the palace. When asked, he said “I am very happy by taking food with Mallikarjun Jangam in the Jangam Muth in Barsi”. To investigate the truth, Maloji Raje deputed a horse rider to Barsi. Jangam asserted, “Sri Swamiji was taking food along with us for seven days”. Thus, it was proved that Sri Swamiji was taking food in Barsi while residing in Akkalkot!
In this way, Sri Swamiji would dispel incurable physical diseases and poverty of the poor and afflicted people by his natural compassion. He would favour distressed people with children by liberating them from their ill fate. He would also grant them fresh life by stopping their death. He would fill their lives with happiness and invoke their implicit faith in religion. However, he would severely condemn immoral-adultery. Not only that, person with such behaviour, were being exposed, disgraced and punished, so that such a person after getting a severe shock would follow a path of virtue. This was the primary aim of Sri Swamiji. The purity of one’s behaviour is the first step of religion and Divine Truth. He would perform miraculous works to diversify the attention of people from worldly entanglement and attract them towards virtuous conduct and devoutness. The primary aim of his incarnation was only for the welfare of the people. He had incarnated himself, as God, on earth, to invoke good religious practice and uplift souls of the population.
I Belong To the Devotee, Devotee Belongs To Me
When a soul takes shelter under God, then God also accepts the soul as his own. He is the Master of orphans. He gives shelter to the helpless. He gives strength to the weak. Then he takes complete responsibility of the welfare of the devotee. He always considers it, as a duty to save the honour of His devotee. It is always the vow of God that He belongs to the devotee and the devotee belongs to Him.
Your Honour Is My Responsibility
Attendance in Office
In Solapur Vishnupant, Chintopant Tol’s Son, was worked as a Government servant in the collector’s office. Once, Sri Swamiji came to Tol’s house. After finishing his bath and daily worship, Tol offered food to Sri Swamiji as naivedya. However, Sri Swamiji did not accept it. It was 10 A. M. Vishnupant had to attend his office. The collector and the officers were normally very punctual. So Chintopant told Vishnupant “You go inside, take food and then go to office”. However, Vishnupant was also a faithful devotee of Sri Swamiji. How could he take food before Sri Swamiji accepts food? So he decided, whatever happens, he will not take food unless Sri Swamiji accepts it. Finally Sri Swamiji took his food at 11:00AM. Then Vishnupant finished his meals and reached his office. He then requested the Head Clerk to forgive him for coming late. The head clerk said, “Why forgive? Today you came to work even earlier to me. See here your signature is here in the attendance register”. When Vishnupant narrated the truth, all were surprised. By his miraculous work, Sri Swamiji had saved the honour of Vishnupant.
Four Thousand People Ate the Food Meant For Forty
Sri Swamiji took a halt in village Rampur near Akkalkot. Raoji Patil of Rampur had vowed that he would feed forty Brahmins in the honour of Sri Swamiji. Now when Sri Swamiji had come to Rampur, Raoji Patil decided to fulfil his vow. His relative Vithabai collected food items meant for forty people and prepared the food. Then Raoji worshipped Sri Swamiji and then offered naivedya food but Sri Swamiji did not accept it. After sometime he said, “Feed everybody”. However, this created a difficult situation for Raoji. The food was meant for forty people only and thousands of people had come for Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Meanwhile Sri Swamiji asked Vithabai to come there along with a basket. Then Sri Swamiji placed food items like rice, bread etc. in that basket. On these food items, Sri Swamiji arranged to keep idols of God and Goddess of that house and then covered these idols again with bread. Then Sri Swamiji asked Vithabai to carry the basket on her head and walk around the Tulsi plan from left to right. Then Sri Swamiji took the Basket and kept it with him. Later, Sri Swamiji gave an order to feed all the people who had come for his ‘Darshan’. People started enjoying the food. This continued till late night. Four thousand people enjoyed the food meant for only forty people. Still there was lots of leftover. This leftover food was distributed in the village. Even the next day, people accepted this food prasad. Thus Sri Swamiji saved the honour, of his devotee Raoji Patil, by his miraculous work.
Food for Thousand People
There is a similar narrative. A Brahmin from Mumbai lost heavily in the Stock Market. As a result of this shock, he died. His wife offered food naivedya to Sri Swamiji and fulfilled her vow of feeding a thousand people.
The Food Provided By Bhagwant Appa Sutar
Bhagwant Appa Sutar had dug a new well in his farm. He took Sri Swamiji to his farm to offer food. He had cooked food for three people. In the meantime, devotees and attendants of Sri Swamiji also arrived. In all there were fifty people and food cooked was for only three people. Seeing this situation Bhagwant Sutar got worried. Then Sri Swamiji spoke “Why do you become sorrowful? Feed everybody!”. All the people present there ate to their satisfaction. Thus Sri Swamiji saved the honour of Bhagwant Sutar by his miraculous work.
Naivedya-Food of a Poor Woman
A poor woman had brought naivedya-food for Sri Swamiji with full devotion. But who care’s about the poor? She had a strong desire that Sri Swamiji should eat the naivedya-food. To fulfil her strong desire, Sri Swamiji called her near him and ate the naivedya-food. Then Sri Swamiji read her mental desire and blessed her with a son. Who else is there, other than Sri Swamiji, who can save the honour of the poor, as a saviour?
Rings Lost In Moharram
It was Moharram238 day. The Hindu priest Sripad Bhat and attendant Bhujanga, both wanted to see the procession of Taboota239. They requested Sri Swamiji for his permission but it was refused. They asked again, but permission was refused again. Then both stealthily left to see the procession without informing Sri Swamiji. Sripad Bhat wore gold rings weighing three to four Tolas in his fingers. To prevent theft, Bhat gave the rings in the safe custody of Bhujanga. Bhujanga was so much overjoyed and excited to see the procession, that he started throwing sweetmeats and dried dates on the procession and in that excitement, without his knowledge, he even threw the rings. They soon realized this fact and started looking for the rings. In that huge crowd of thousands of people how could the rings be located? They both got tired of searching and gave up. They were about to cry and in that sorrowful state they came to Sri Swamiji and started weeping. Sri Swamiji angrily rebuked them and said, “Though I had forbidden both of you from going to the procession, why did you commit this absurdity? ”. Bhujanga started crying. Whenever a devotee commits severe mistake the Sadguru always saves the honour of the devotee. Sri Swamiji said, “Do not cry. You will get back your rings automatically, simply keep quiet”. Shortly afterwards a policeman caught two people and brought them there. It seemed that after getting the gold rings, there was a fight between those two people and the policeman caught them. Thus Sri Swamiji saved the honour of Bhujanga.
Sripad Bhat
Sri Swamiji had sent Sripad Bhat to Banaras to attend a meeting of learned Brahmins. Sripad Bhat was a learned Brahmin but the learned Brahmins of Banaras considered him insignificant and so disrespected him. Sripad Bhat was totally disappointed and he wanted to return home. However, Sri Swamiji manifested himself there and ordered him to attend the meeting. Eventually, Sripad Bhat won the debate held by the learned Brahmins of Banaras. Those learned Brahmins accepted the Sripad Bhat authority and accordingly honoured him. Sri Swamiji thus protected the honour of Sripad Bhat.
Vamanbua Badodekar
Vamanbua after completing his pilgrimage went back to Akkalkot. He wanted to
go to Ganagapur, but Sri Swamiji warned, “You will get trapped in water and mud”. Even so, Vamanbua obstinately disobeyed this warning and proceeded to Ganagapur. In those days there were heavy rains in that region. He got down at Udur station and started going towards Ganagapur. On the way there were small rivers. While crossing the river, he got trapped in the mud. While making movements to free himself, he got trapped deeper in the river-mud. He was trapped up to his neck. Now he started repenting for disobeying the warning of Sri Swamiji. He got mentally perturbed and started chanting the name of Sri Swamiji for help. Kind-hearted Sri Swamiji instantly came for his help. Vamanbua felt as if somebody pulled him out from that mud! Then he went to Ganagapur. While taking bath at the Sangam he was saved from getting drowned in the river. When he returned to Akkalkot, Sri Swamiji said, “You are saved from getting drowned in the mud and water and safely you have returned, is it not? ”. Vamanbua prayed for forgiveness.
Kanphata Ekanath
Kanphata Eknath belonged to the Nath-Sect240. He was a devotee and attendant of Sri Swamiji. Because of his tall and muscular physique and hot-headed temperament, other attendants would remain subdued towards him. He would shower his anger on attendants like Sripad Bhat, Cholappa, Vishwanathbua, and Sundarabai. There was a fear amongst them that Eknath might take someone’s life someday and so a complaint was lodged against him and finally he was put behind bars. Kanphata would never take his food without taking Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’, so when he was arrested and put behind bars he remained without food for more than four days. One day Sri Swamiji was sitting in a farm near city gate. By some coincidence, prisoners were also brought near the city gate. Hearing the continuous shouts of victory in praise of Sri Swamiji made Kanphata very restless. He became very anxious to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. Finally he lost his control and got up from his seat with an intention of going towards Sri Swamiji. However, the policeman did not allow him to go and so Eknath knocked down the policeman. He then seized the policeman’s sword and forced his way to take Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’. An old Brahmin was sitting near Sri Swamiji. From a distance he resembled Cholappa. At the mere sight of the old Brahmin, who appeared like Cholappa, Eknath got infuriated and struck him 7-8 times with his sharp sword. Sri Swamiji witnessed this particular act of Ekanath. The old Brahmin became unconscious due of those swordstrokes. Nevertheless, the compassionate Sri Swamiji saved him from death since under normal circumstances no one would have survived even one stroke of Eknath’s powerful sword stroke. Thus Sri Swamiji also saved Eknath from the serious offence of murder.
The Veeda of Goddess
Vamanbua Badodekar, while on a pilgrimage, went up the Saptshringi hill in Nashik District to take ‘Darshan’ of Goddess Saptshringi. There, Vamanbua requested for the veeda from Goddess Parvati’s mouth as a form of favour or blessings. However, the priests of the temple started making fun of him and said “In case Sri Swami Maharaj of Akkalkot is the incarnation of the Divine Lord and your devotion towards Sri Swamiji is true, then Goddess Jagadamba241 would bless you with the veeda from her mouth”. Vamanbua prayed to the Goddess and lo! The veeda from her mouth fell on his body. Vamanbua returned to Akkalkot and prostrated before Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji said, “You went to Saptshringee and started calling my name for help. I only had to bless that veeda to you”. Thus Sri Swamiji protected the honour of Vamanbua by blessing him with the veeda from the mouth of Goddess Parvati.
Waikar Brahmin
A Brahmin from a holy place called Wai came to Akkalkot. After taking Sri Swamiji’s ‘Darshan’ he spoke saying, “a few days back a saintly man came to Wai. After performing religious ceremonies for feeding the Brahmins in the cause of lord Dattatrey, he borrowed rupees twenty-five from me and then he disappeared. Thus he cheated a poor man like me. Maharaj I had lent the money in your honour. Should I suffer like this for my good act? ”. Sri Swamiji did not say anything. There was a big rush to take ‘Darshan’ of Sri Swamiji. In the meanwhile, Sri Swamiji raised his finger and it pointed at the same Brahmin who had runaway with the money. Waikar caught hold of the Brahmin. A quarrel started between the two. Then finally the Brahmin agreed to having cheated Waikar. Nevertheless, he didn’t have the money to repay Waikar. Then Waikar seized few of the Brahmin’s belongings and returned home. Sri Swamiji did not oppose Waikar’s actions for maintaining the honour of his name. This way God protects the honour of his devotee.
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