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 ||