124. Sheshacharya Agnihotri

 || Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was once a pious Brahmin by the name of Sheshacharya Agnihotri who lived in Akkalkot, and relied on bhiksha for his sustenance. He was a devotee of Shri Maharaj and Swami was also very fond of him. Everytime that he went before Shri Maharaj for darshan, Shri Maharaj would gladly stretch out his legs so that Sheshacharya could offer his obeisances at His feet. After this Sheshacharya would hold out his snuff box, and Shri would accept the offering and take a pinch.

Sheasharya sought Maharaj's darshan daily. Even when Maharaj was in a foul mood, which was when noone dared approach Him, Sheshacharya would unhesitatingly present himself before Shri and offer his obeisances.

The devotees that came before Maharaj always brought offerings, and these included different types of sweetmeats, such as pedhas and barfis. There would always be platters of such sweetmeats offered, and Shri Maharaj would distribute them amongst the children, dogs, travelling visitors, and even fed the bullocks that towed the carts. However, Shri Maharaj never gave a pedha to Seshacharya as prasad.

Sheshacharya used to wonder every day, "How is it that Samarth gives everyone a pedha but has never given me one!?"

Then, after many months of thinking like this, he was able to convince himself that Shri Maharaj did not really have any affection for him.

One day, as usual, there were numerous platters of pedhas and barfis placed before Shri Maharaj, and Sheshacharya, after having offered his obeisance, requested Shri, "Maharaj, please give me some prasad", and held out his palm.

Neither did Maharaj say anything, nor did he give any prasad to Sheshacharya, who was really saddened.

From that day onwards, Shehasharchya stopped going for his daily darshan of Shri Swami Samarth. However, whenever he did go for darshan, Shri Maharaj would pull a blanket over His head and go to sleep. 

Then Sheshacharya went to extreme lengths for Shri's darshan. He sat before Him for hours, he would come before him many times throughout the day, all with the hope of getting Maharaj's darshan as he had been receiving before, but to no avail. Maharaj absolutely refused to give him darshan. 

Once, when Sheshacharya adamantly sat before Maharaj having made up his mind not leave until he received darshan, Shri Maharaj pulled a blanket over Himself and verbally abused him from under the blanket.

Not realizing the error of his ways, Sheshacharya could not figure out why Maharaj had stopped showing His affection towards him. "What offense have I committed!? What is the reason for such behaviour towards me!?", he wondered.

Some days later Shesacharya had gone to the Khas Baug for making dung cakes. The same day, Shri Samarth was also visiting Khas Baug.

When Sheshacharya went for Shri's darshan, Maharaj was asleep. He thought that he would complete his work of making the dung cakes and would then return for Maharaj's darshan.

On resuming his work, a thought came to Sheshacharya's mind. The only offense that I committed was asking for pedha and barfi from the One who can grant me liberation from the cycle of birth and death! How low have I fallen?!

With tears of sorrow rolling down his cheeks, Sheshacharya prayed to Shri Maharaj, "Maharaj! I am a terrible sinner but You are an ocean of compassion. Have mercy and forgive me."

"Never again will I ask you for any sweets as prasad and if I do, may I eat this cow dung!"

As he thought these thoughts, Sheshacharya put a lump of cow dung into his mouth.

By the time Sheshacharya had completed his work, he went for darshan again thinking that if asking for sweets was the only offense, then the most compassionate Swami Maharaj would give him darshan.

On seeing Sheshacharya coming towards Him, Shri Maharaj roared with laughter and said, "O Bua! Did you get to eat barfi to your heart's content!? "

"Come here and give me the snuff box!", he ordered.

Sheshacharya could not contain his joy on hearing these words from Shri Maharaj. He offered his obeisances and said, "Maharaj! You've brought me to my senses".

From then on, with Shri's mercy, Sheshacharya made great spiritual strides and developed detachment from worldly matters, and remained devoted, and in service to Shri Maharaj till the very end.

 || Shri Swami Samarth ||

241. Thousands served food for Datta Jayanti

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

One drought year, during the Datta Jayanti festivities, in the month of Margashirsha, thousands had thronged to Akkalkot for prasad. 

Cholappa, Shripad Bhat, Keshav Deshpande, and other organizers, were worried that they would run out of food, and prayed to Shri, "Maharaj, there is a huge rush for prasad. There is food prepared only for three hundred people. How will four thousand people eat?"

Samarth said, "Take this kada and this tak of Amba Devi and place them amongst the polis (chapatis) that have been prepared. Don't worry."

Deshpande took the kada and the tak and placed them amongst the polis. Then everyone offered a wonderful aarti to Amba Devi followed by a coconut offering. The coconut was cracked and the water was sprinkled as tirtha over the food preparations. Then, the serving of the prasad commenced.

Two thousand people were served in the first sitting. The second sitting saw a thousand people have their meals. A thousand people, mostly Muslims and those from the Mahar caste sat in the third sitting. No one was left hungry. Everyone glorified Shri Swami Samarth.

Then Shri Samarth ordered, "Bring the kada and tak!"

Deshpande placed both items before Shri. Then Maharaj had his meals. 

That night there was a wonderful kirtan performance, and singers sang beautiful songs of devotion. Everyone was happy and contented. The miracle was that Shri Swami Samarth arranged food for thousands of people using the kada and tak as his mystical tools.

Shri Swami Samarth is the doer and in his leela we are all his instruments.

|| Shri Swami Samarth || 

240. Govindpant Kulkarni is cured of his stomach ache

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Govindpant Kulkarni lived in Mamdabad, which was around two kilometers from Akkalkot, on the banks of the Bori river. He was suffering from a terrible illness. He would vomit out involuntarily, any food that he ate. Naturally, his health suffered.

Tired of his ailment, he went to Gangapur and there he offered seva to Shri. After having offered service for some time, one night when he was asleep, he had a vision. In this vision, he was instructed that as soon as he received the darshan of the Supreme Brahman, he would be relieved of his suffering.

When he woke up, he began to think, "In this Kaliyuga, it is so rare for even great Yogis to receive the darshan of the Supreme Brahman. What chance do I have!?"

He told of his dream to another Brahmin, Baba Bhat, who was a learned scholar who was unfortunately a leper. 

"I am an ordinary family man", said Govindpant, "I have no authority in matters of spirituality. How am I to then receive the darshan of the Supreme Brahman".

Baba Bhat, on behalf of Govindpant Kulkarni, prayed to Shri at Gangapur.

That same night, Govindpant received instructions in a vision to go to Akkalkot and sweep houses and was told that that is where and how he would find the Supreme Brahman.

The next morning, an elated Govindpant offered a special pooja to Shri's paduka and after offering brahmana-bhojana, arrived in Akkalkot the following day. That day Shri Swami Samarth was at a Brahmin's home performing his leela. 

Govindpant offered his obeisances to Shri Maharaj and stood before him in great humility. 

Shri Maharaj said to him, "Eat a mixture of cow urine and cow dung for seven days and you will be cured of your disease. You had troubled an old cow and that is why you were suffering from this ailment!"

Govindpant then glorified Shri Maharaj, "You are Shiva Himself. You have come in this form to uplift us. Of this I am certain!", and then offered his obeisances again.

After following the remedy as instructed by Shri Maharaj, Govindpant was cured of his illness. Then, with Shri's permission, he returned home fully cured.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

231. Vitthalrao becomes Mamlatdar (Head of Revenue Administration)

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Vitthalrao was the Mamlatdar (Head of Revenue Administration) at Hyderabad and was a devotee of Manik Prabhu. 

He was under departmental investigation for corruption charges due to his own corruption and had been suspended. When the learned that soon there would be a warrant issued for his arrest, he panicked, and thought, "If I got to Manik Prabhu, I am sure to be caught, but if I go to Akkalkot and seek refuge with Shri Samarth, I will be saved."

That day he immediately set out toward Akkalkot and reached there at night. He went to where Swami was and saw Shri resting surrounded by His attendants who were asleep. He woke Maharaj's attendants and told them who he was, the trouble he was in, and why it was urgent for him to meet Swami.

Just then Swami stood up and in anger said to Vitthalrao, "You perform corrupt acts with joy. When the time comes to pay for your actions you cry."

He continued to roar, "Why have you come to Me? Get lost! Am I your fathers' servant!?"

Vitthalrao paid his obeisance to Shri and prayed, "Maharaj, please forgive me. I am guilty. I promise that henceforth, I will not be corrupt."

"Maharaj, You protect all those who seek refuge at Your feet. I have no one else but You looking over me", said Vitthalrao, and with his head placed on Shri's feet, he began to weep.

Maharaj felt compassion towards him and said, "Go! I forgive you. Remember to act honestly going forward!"

On hearing these words, Vitthalrao's heart was unburdened and he offered his obeisance to Shri Maharaj and extolling the glories of Shri Samarth, he returned to Hyderabad.

Some days later, the internal investigation exonerated him from the corruption charges and he was reinstated to his post of Mamlatdar due to the grace of Shri Swami Samarth.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

230. Barjoji and Navroji: The Parsis

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Navroji, a Parsi gentleman from Mumbai, was visiting his relative, Barjoji, at Akkalkot where the latter was stationed for work. 

One evening, they were both seated on a sofa in Barjoji's bungalow with the front door closed, discussing the leelas that Shri Swami Samarth had performed. Navroji was not convinced of the truthfulness of the stories that Barjoji had narrated. 

Just then Shri Samarth appeared digambar and sat between them on the sofa. Both the Parsis were surprised. Navroji offered his obeisance to Shri Samarth and enquired, "Maharaj, how were You able to come in when the front door is closed?

He continued, "Maharaj, I am in debt. I am desirous of clearing all my debt and amassing a great fortune. I pray for Your blessings for this to happen."

Maharaj asked, "When you get your fortune, what will you give?"

Navroji replied, "I will offer one-fourth of what I will get."

Maharaj instructed, "Go to the Narmada!", and then suddenly disappeared.

Both Navroji and Barjoji checked all the doors. They were locked from the inside. 

The next morning they learned that Maharaj was around two kos (3.6 km) away from Akkalkot in Rampur. Both of them went there and after offering their obeisances, stood before Him.

Maharaj instructed Navroji, "Gurjarat is calling, go!"

On hearing these words, Navroji stepped forward, offered the shrifal (coconut) to Maharaj, offered his obeisances, and left for Mumbai. 

On reaching Mumbai, he received a message that Shrimant Malharrao Gaikwad, the ruler of the princely state of Baroda, wished to meet him. He promptly got on the next train and went to Baroda. At Baroda, Malharrao bestowed upon Navroji great wealth and said, "Please get Akkalkot Swami Maharaj to Baroda in any way possible!" The next day took a train from Baroda and arrived in Akkalkot. 

Navroji went to Shri Maharaj and after offering Him shodashopachar pooja, and serving food to Brahmins, Navroji prayed, "Maharaj, Shrimant Malharrao Gaikwad has invited you to Baroda."

Maharaj replied, "I will not come, go!"

Navroji returned to Mumbai and informed Gaikwad, "Maharaj is not ready to come; I expended a lot of effort but it has been a waste." By the grace of Maharaj, Navroji used the wealth he had received from Baroda to pay off his debts and was well-established financially.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

229. Madhavacharya's second marriage

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

On the banks of the river Bhima, in the small village of Shirgur, there lived a scholarly Brahmin by the name of Madhavacharya. The village had been granted to him as an inam (reward). By all accounts, he should have been a happy man.

However, things were not going so well for Madhavacharya. He was lonely as his wife had passed away. He was also debt-ridden. The anxiety had gotten to him and he had started to behave whimsically. One day he decided to go to Akkalkot and seek Shri's darshan. 

He immediately set out and soon reached Akkalkot where he paid his obeisances to Shri Maharaj and stood before Him with his palms folded in the anjali mudra.

Maharaj said to him, "Sumurta savadhan!", and handed him a shrifal (coconut) as a prasad. 

On hearing these words from Shri Maharaj, His attendants began mocking Madhavarcharya because he would now be getting married in his old age.

Madhavacharya pleaded with Maharaj, "Swami! People have begun to mock me. I am already over fifty years old. How will I get married at this age? and what of the over five thousand rupee debt that I owe?"

Samarth dismissed him saying, "Get lost from the way that you came!"

Hearing this instruction from Shri Maharaj, Madhavacharya paid his obeisance to Him and made his way to Shirol where some of his relatives lived.

On the same day, there were two weddings in Shirol, two sisters were getting married on the same day. 

The groom who was to wed the younger sister had arrived with his family and friends. However, the elder sister's groom had not arrived due to some reason. Their father was worried. How could the younger sister get married without the elder sister getting married first!?

Then a thought suddenly came to his mind. He thought why not offer his eldest daughter to Madhavacharya so that the younger sister would also get married as planned. 

He discussed it with his wife and also with the elders of the family and they all agreed to the proposal. They approached Madhavacharya who also agreed. The surprising part was that everyone knew that Madhavacharya was penniless and yet the wedding went through smoothly.

After the wedding, Madhavacharya and his new wife went to Akkalkot. They offered their obeisances to Shri Swami Samarth who said, "Go home! You will be debt free and will live long and will be happy with children and grandchildren!"

Madhavacharya and his family happily returned home and continued to offer seva to Shri Maharaj.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

228. The Telangana Brahmin is blessed with wealth

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was once a Brahmin from Telangana who had visited many sacred places and had now come to Akkalkot with the hope of receiving a blessing to gain a fortune. He paid his obeisances to Swami and stood with folded hands before Him. 

Swami asked, "Hey Brahmin, what desire do you hold?"

The Brahmin prayed, "Maharaj! I am suffering in abject poverty and am carrying a burden of financial debt. Please take mercy on me and free me from my debt."

"I am a Sannyasi and do not have any money. If you wish, you can take some soil from there", said Maharaj pointing to the ground where the man stood.

The Brahmin asked, "What should I do with the soil?"

Maharaj replied, "If you don't want it, get lost!"

In order to not offend Maharaj anymore, the man picked up a lump of soil and put it in his sack, offered obeisance to Shri Swami Samarth, and headed home. After he had traveled some distance, he realized that his sack had gotten heavy. When he checked the sack, there was a surprise for him in the sack. 

The lump of soil had miraculously turned into a solid gold nugget!

The man's financial troubles would soon be history and he went home marveling at and singing the glories of Shri Maharaj.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

185. Appasaheb Sabnis from Pune

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Appasaheb Sabnis, a gentleman from Pune, was suffering from possession by evil spirits. When possessed, he would forsake all meals and starve himself. Even after performing many anushthana such as the immensely powerful Gurucharitra Saptaha, he was still not free from the suffering. Finally, he decided to go to Gangapur and perform service at the feet of Shri Dattatreya.

With a few accompanying him, he set out for Akkalkot and on the way made a stop at Akkalkoti. Desirous of receiving Maharaj's Darshan, he made inquiries about Maharaj's whereabouts and was told that he was the home of Karnalkar.

Sabnis and his group offered their obeisances to Maharaj and after presenting their offerings prayed, "I am on my way to Gangapur to offer seva to be relieved of my great suffering. Please allow us permission to leave,"

On hearing this, Maharaj said, "Don't go! I will destroy completely!"

With complete faith in Shri Maharaj, they stayed there for a full five years offering the following seva - abhishek on Swami's paduka, Gurucharitra Parayan, offering food to those in Maharaj's service, and performing pradakshina (circumambulation) to the Audumbar tree.

Initially, the evil spirit, when in possession of Sabnis would arrogantly keep saying, "This anushthana is useless! I am not going to leave! I will destroy him completely! He is the reason for my state!"

He would never dare to go near Maharaj as His divine effulgence was blinding to the pisacha. He could not stand to hear the aarti of Shri Maharaj. 

Eventually, as Sabnis diligently continued to perform seva, the pisacha softened his stance and tone, and began saying, "What should I do now!? I cannot bear this beating!"

Finally, after almost five years, he left Sabnis, who immediately gained back his health. Everyone was overjoyed.

Sabnis continued to stay in Akkalkot and set up his law practice. Some time later the possessions began again. When he prayed to Maharaj and asked about why the possessions had begun again, Shri said, "Why do you do this in-between business!?", referring to his law practice.

Understanding this was a clear instruction from Maharaj to give up practicing law, Sabnis not only closed his law office but also offered all the money he had earned as law fees in Swami's seva.

One day Sabnis' mother asked Maharaj about her daughter-in-law, Saraswati. 

"She does not have a child and the entire estate will go to waste", said the old lady.

"Go! She will have a son!", boomed Maharaj, and dropped a coconut into her hands. Soon, Sabnis and his wife became parents to a healthy baby boy.

Sabnis returned to Pune with his family but continued returning to Akkalkot frequently. He was devoted to Shri Swami Samarth. He purchased a home at Akkalkot, stocked it with supplies sufficient to support a family for a year, and offered it to a Brahmin, as a love offering to Shri Swami Maharaj.

Throughout his life, Sabnis continued to offer devotional service to Shri Maharaj.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

184. Nandram Sundarji Gawandi

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Nandram Sundarji Gawandi from Pune had been suffering greatly from bladder stones for over three years. Modern medicine and traditional ayurvedic remedies did not give relief even though he spent a lot of money on all cures that were recommended to him. 

Once Gawandi happened to meet Balkrishna Joshi who advised him to visit Akkalkot and receive Swami's Darshan to be surely relieved of his suffering. 

Gawandi had heard of Shri Swami Samarth and said to Joshi, "I have also heard of the great Avatari, and if you apply the sacred ash on my forehead in His name, and if even if I feel some respite from my suffering, I will certainly visit Akkalkot."

Without any hesitation, Joshi applied the sacred ash to Gawandi's forehead while chanting 'Samarth'. The same night, Gwandi felt great relief and had a restful sleep. The next morning he quickly made preparations for this journey and immediately set out toward Akkalkot. On arrival, he stayed at Balkrishna Joshi's home as his guest.

After having received Darshan of Shri Samarth, he stayed in Akkaklot for some days and made charitable offerings for clothes and food to the poor, and offered brahman-bhojan. He was a wealthy man and did not hesitate to spend money.

Gawandi was adhering to the Somvar Vrata and ritually offered worship and sought Darshan of Lord Shiva, especially on Mondays. At the Mallikarjun temple, he saw Swami seated on the temple verandah. Only after offering his obeisances to Shri Maharaj did Gawandi, and Joshi, who was accompanying him, enter the inner sanctum of the temple.

When they entered the temple, they were in for a great surprise! The Shiva Lingam was nowhere to be seen and in its place, seated comfortably, was Shri Maharaj. To see if Maharaj was seated outside they rushed outside and lo behold! They saw Shri Samarth seated on the verandah just as before and from the deep devotion they felt in their hearts towards Maharaj, they sang His glories.

"O Trailokyadhipati! O Sarvavyapaka! O Deva! O Akhila-aishwarya-sampanna! O Deva! O Aparimita Udara! O Anatha Santakanashana! O Karunasagara! "

They sought His blessings to always remember Shri Swami Samarth and to serve him faithfully. 

In order to be of service to Shri Maharaj, Gawandi arranged for rupees ten to be offered every month at Akkalkot.

In this manner, Gawandi received the grace of Prabhuraya.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

140. Ram Upasak Kashikar Swami

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was once a swami from Kashi who was learned in Mimamsa, Nyayshastra (law), Vedanta, Mantra-Shastra, and other streams of Indic scholarship. He had a very sharp memory and by nature was a very calm and detached person. Not only was he a polymath, but also a polyglot, as he spoke serveral languages. He focused not only on intellectual development but also on physical fitness and had good strength. 

This swami had taken Sannyas at Jagannath Puri and spent most of his time in meditation and silent contemplation. Though he was a learned man and spiritually advanced, he still had some doubts. He tried to get these doubts resolved by meeting other Sannyasis at various holy places and discussing with them, but he still remained confused. 

Once, when the was returning back from Rameshwaram, he had a vision and was told, "Come to Akkalkot!"

He had no idea of where Akkalkot was but was determined to get there as soon as possible. Asking around and finding out the location, he set out the next day with his few belongings, out from Rameshwaram, and in the month of Paush, on the eleventh day of the dark fortnight, in the shaka year 1799, arrived in Akkalkot.

On seeing Shri Maharaj, the learned swami was ecstatic and tears of joy rolled down from his cheeks. He stood still for some time and then offered his obeisances to Shri Swami Samarth. He stayed in Maharaj's service for some months.

Maindargi is a village near Akkalkot. About one mile from the village there is a Natha math and Shri Samarth was seated there one morning with around twenty devotees in attendance. The learned swami, after completing his morning prayers, had come to offer his obeisances to Shri Maharaj. 

We do not know what he saw but it must have been miraculous because as soon as he saw Maharaj, he began offering obeisances and standing up and then offering obeisances again and standing up again. He did this multiple times, all the while tears of joy flowing from his eyes, and his body shivering. Not one word was said between them but it was certain that some great spiritual communication was underway.

The next morning, when the Kashikar Swami met Dattatreybua Puranik he mentioned that all his doubts had been cleared. Some days later, with Maharaj's permission, he returned to Kashi.

We may be able to surmise that Kashikar Swami had reached such an advanced stage of spiritual unfoldment that for him to advance further on his path he needed direction from none other that Shri Swami Samarth himself. Such is Maharaj's compassion. 

It does not matter where you are in your life's journey, Maharaj always has his eye on you and will bring you to closer to Him at the right time,  and grant you the momentum in the right direction for progress, both material and spiritual.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||