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 ||