|| Shri Swami Samarth ||
Once when Malharrao Gaikwad was seated in his court at Baroda, he said to his courtiers, "Whosoever is able to bring Shri Swami Samarth to Baroda, I will grant a Jahagir to him, and for this effort, I am willing to spend whatever it takes."
On hearing this one of his sardars, a man named Tatyasaheb, committed, "I will bring Him."
Malharrao was very pleased and immediately dispatched him to Akkalkot with great wealth and all the paraphernalia he would need if he indeed was able to bring Maharaj back to Baroda.
When Tatyasaheb arrived in Akkalkot, the first thing he did was to start making gifts to those who were closest to Shri Maharaj with the expectation that they would suggest to Maharaj about going to Baroda.
Maharaj would never commit to going and gave instructions like, "Feed a thousand people, then I will come. Give money to Brahmins. Clothe the poor!", to bide time. Tatyasaheb spent a lot of money and effort in this manner but got no results.
As Cholappa was very close to Maharaj, Tatyasaheb decided to bribe him.
"If you can get Maharaj to Baroda by hook or by crook, I will recommend to Malharrao that you be granted a Jahagir worth ten thousand!"
Cholappa had never in his life even dreamt of so much money and agreed to Tatayasaheb's proposal.
One day Cholappa stood with folded palms in front of Maharaj and said, "Maharaj, please let us go to Baroda. I will be rewarded a Jahagir worth ten thousand!"
Maharaj smiled and said, "Are, he has no devotion!", indicating that he would not be going to Baroda.
Then, in a last-ditch attempt, Tatyasaheb and his accomplices, including Cholappa, agreed to take Maharaj in a covered palanquin to Kadapgaon, and from there put Him on a train and take Him direct to Baroda. All the conspirators were given some bribe or the other: either a shawl, ten or twenty rupees, a dhoti, and so on.
One morning, as per the agreed plan, Cholappa said to Shri, "Maharaj, let us go get some fresh air!"
"No. We will go later!", replied Swami.
Then Sundarabai suggested, "Maharaj, let us go to the palace!"
"No. We will go later!", replied Samarth.
Three or four days of this effort continued but Maharaj would not go anywhere in a palanquin.
Finally, Maharaj agreed to travel in a palanquin. Everyone was overjoyed as they could almost taste the financial rewards if Maharaj went to Baroda.
Swami's carriers took the palanquin straight to Kadapgaon where there was a special training waiting to take Him to Baroda, but little did anyone know of Shri Swami Samarth's plans. Was it so easy to fool Maharaj who is an Avatar of Shri Dattatreya!? Was he an ordinary man that He could be tricked!?
When the palanquin reached Ambachi Wadi, it felt very light, as if there was no one inside. When they opened the door of the palanquin, Maharaj was not there! Some true devotees who knew nothing of Tatyasaheb's plan were almost grief-stricken on not seeing Maharaj. They cried their hearts out. Those who were involved in the plot ran in all directions looking for Him but Shri was nowhere to be found.
Two hours later, a constable arrived at that spot and said to the group, "Why are you looking for Maharaj here? He is two kos away from here sitting on a large boulder on the road to Jeur."
The constable continued.
I asked him, "Maharaj, do you want to go to Akkalkot?"
He replied, "No!"
When I saw that He was not keen on going anywhere, I carried on and here I find you all looking for Him.
Everyone hurried to where Maharaj was and begged for His forgiveness. Some slapped themselves to repent. Maharaj then started roaring with laughter and this brought smiles to everyone's faces. Finally, they all returned to Akkalkot.
Tatyasaheb, after spending so much money, and so much effort, unsuccessfully returned to Baroda without Maharaj.
After some time had passed, Malharrao Gaikwad sent another of his sardars, a man named Yashwantrao, to Akkalkot. This fellow tried the same tricks as Tatayasaheb, but Maharaj did not tolerate it this time around.
When Yashwantrao stood before Shri and requested, "Maharaj, please come to Baroda", Maharaj thrice said, "Who does he think he is!? Arrest him!"
A couple of days later, Yashwantrao got a letter from Baroda ordering him to return. The Government had brought a criminal action against Malharrao and his coterie which included Yashwantraoi, and they ended up spending time in prison in Madras.
Anyone who plays with fire is bound to get burnt. Thus, one must follow the instructions of those greater than us, or else we draw misfortune upon ourselves. Obeying their instructions is immensely beneficial to us and in our best interests.
|| Shri Swami Samarth ||
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