058. Saraswati of the Sonar varna

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was once a woman named Saraswati who was from the Sonar varna. She had received Maharaj's grace. On some days she would sing abhangs composed by Janabai and would run through the streets crying like a mad woman. Her belongings included a sack of tattered clothes and an earthen pot. She understood the inner meaning of some of the things that Maharaj said. 

There were occasions when Maharaj would get angry and hide from His devotees. It would then be up to Saraswati to find and bring Him back. 

She sometimes held a stick in her hand and sang, "Dnyanoba, Tukaram, Bodkiche Kay Kam", while dancing. This amused Maharaj immensely and he laughed so hard that His bed rocked. This would go on for over two hours.

Residents of Narsobachi Wadi were once at Akkalkot for Maharaj's darshan. They asked Him, "Maharaj, who are You?", to which Samarth replied, "Mool Purush, Vadache Zaad, Datta Nagar."

On hearing this Saraswati said, "Vata-patra-shahi Mool Purush Dattatreya has incarnated in this form."

Saraswati subsisted on any bhiksha she received. Ten to twelve dogs would always accompany her and she would feed them any food she had. 

When children would follow her and throw dirt on her, she would then catch hold of them and smack their bums with her stick. This is how she played some days.

She was very dear to Maharaj.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||