137. Pandurang Bapuji Jadhav begets a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Pandurang Bapuji Jadhav had been struck by great misfortune. All four of his sons had died in a period of two months, and he was grief-stricken.

His wife Bhagubai, a devout woman, happened to hear about Shri Maharaj and felt great devotion towards Him and began her pooja and naam-japa in front of a picture of Maharaj that she had acquired. She would feel great sorrow if anyone interrupted her worship.

One night, Shri Swami Samarth appeared in her dream and gave his darshan, He asked her, "If I give you a son, what will you give me in return?" 

In her dream, she promised, "I will offer my son at Maharaj's feet and will make him a Brahmachari!"

She conceived some days later and the couple's joy knew no bounds and they began preparing for the baby's arrival.

However, in the seventh month, an aberration happened. She had her period. This scared her. She thought to herself, "Would the baby be fine?"

In great anguish prayed to Maharaj, "Do not betray me Maharaj! Please pay proper attention to me! You are my family, my mother, and my father!"

That night, Maharaj appeared in her dream and reassured her, "Do not worry!"

Nine months later, in the Shaka year 1716, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. 

Some days later, Bhagubai again had a vision in her dream. She saw that Maharaj was seated on makhar made of banana leaves and that two servants were offering Him seva.

Maharaj said to her, "You now have a son! As promised, you must offer Him to me!"

We do not know if she offered her son to Maharaj, but we do know that she continued to serve Shri Swami Samarth with great love and devotion.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

226. Narayandas' wife has a safe childbirth

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Narayandas was a Gujarati Brahmin who was staying around Mengalai in a village called Beed-Pattan. His wife was heavily pregnant and their child was to be born any day now. 

One day a Brahmin, who was on a tirtha-yatra, arrived in the village and stayed for a few days. This Brahmin and Narayandas began conversing and they soon found themselves discussing great spiritual masters. The Brahmin said that he had seen a sadpurush yogeshwar at Akkalkot. 

On hearing this, Narayandas said, "In this Kaliyuga, many sadhus, sants, sannyasis can be found wandering as a means to provide for themselves. They do this to make a living. Does performing tricks qualify them to be called an Avatari!?"

The Brahmin, slightly offended, said, "You should refrain from ridiculing mahapurushas without reason", and then got up and left.

Just then, Narayandas' wife went into labor. The contraction was unbearable but the childbirth was complicated. Narayandas was scared for his wife and unborn child and thought to himself, "I mocked Akkalkot Swami in front of that Brahmin. Is this my punishment?"

Then convinced of his offense he offered his obeisance and prayed, "O Lord! Deliver my wife from this suffering. I surrender to You. Do not turn me away!"

Just then Maharaj, who is a karunanidhi, appeared before Narayandas.

"So, You were the one mocking me before the Brahmin weren't you!?", said Maharaj.

Narayandas pleaded, "Maharaj! Please forgive me. I committed this offense out of ignorance. Have mercy on my wife who is suffering. Show us a way out!"

Samarth said, "If you are truly in need, go to Akkalkot and offer Rudrabhishek and then offer brahmin-bhojana by spending a thousand rupees."

"If my wife safely delivers by this evening, I will surely do as you instruct", promised Narayandas.

On hearing this Maharaj suddenly disappeared from sight. Everyone present who saw this happening before their eyes were mesmerized.

That day, before sunset, a son was born to Narayandas. His wife delivered a healthy baby and she was also in good health. Narayandas' joy knew no bounds.

By the time the boy turned five months old, Narayandas had forgotten about this vow. When his wife reminded him of it, he started suddenly started behaving as if he had lost his mind. He ripped apart his clothes, began jumping around like a madman, yelled out expletives, and became a terror for his family.

His wife and mother finally, with much effort brought him to Akkalkot. When he was brought in front of Maharaj, Shri said, " Tell me! You've become arrogant! Do you want more?", and then got up and walked away.

For four months, the entire family stayed at Akkalkot and offered service to Maharaj to their fullest ability. Then slowly, but steadily, Narayandas regained his sanity and began behaving normally. He then spent a thousand rupees in offering Rudrabhishek and brahmin-bhojana to fulfill his vow. Then, with Shri Swami Samarth's blessing, he returned home with his family.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

120. The European Railway Officer

 || Shri Swami Samarth ||

A European railway officer had heard of Maharaj's glories and decided to go to Akkalkot for Shri's darshan. The man had no children and he hoped to receive Maharaj's blessings for a child.

After offering his obeisances to Maharaj, he stood before Him. On seeing him, Maharaj said, "You want a son, you will get a son, in one year." 

Maharaj had known what he desired without him saying a word and had also blessed him. The man was elated and went home happily. The became a father within a year and then he came to Akkalkot with his wife and son for Maharaj's darshan.

He told many of his people of the miracle that Shri Swami Samarth had performed and because of that many Europeans also visited Akkalkot for His darshan.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

108. Maharaj accepts naivedya from a woman

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was once a poor Brahmin lady who had prepared naivedya for Shri Swami Samarth with great love and devotion and brought it to where He was in order to offer it to Him. Her only desire was for Maharaj to taste at least a morsel of what she had prepared. However, as she was poor, she was not ignored and was not allowed to approach Maharaj and found a seat far away from Him.

She silently prayed to Maharaj, "Please accept a few morsels of what I have prepared for You."

Maharaj roared, "Who dares hold up the Brahmin woman's offering!? I will kick those that are arrogant."

Then, pointing to her said, "Come here!"

The most compassionate Maharaj showed great respect to the offering that the woman had brought and ate some of her naivedya. He then said to her, "You will have a mischievous son!"

Her joy knew no bounds and she placed her head on Maharaj's feet and said, "I have met many divine personages over the years but after receiving your darshan, my heart is contented!"

The woman was forty-five years old when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Whenever she would remember Maharaj, her eyes would well up with tears of joy.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

088. The old woman begets a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Once,  when Swami was in the khasbaug along with His attendants, an old couple by the name of Mate, who belonged to the Maratha caste, came seeking Maharaj's darshan and offering seva. They were childless and this was a source of great sorrow for them.

After offering seva for some days, she prayed to Maharaj for a child. Maharaj immediately replied, "O woman, take your brat!", and handed her a sriphal (coconut) as His blessing. 

Some of those gathered nearby, sarcastically asked about the woman's age, thinking that it was unlikely that a woman of her age would beget a child. The woman, not thinking much of it, innocently replied that she was sixty years old. 

Within a year, the woman gave birth to a healthy son.

The woman was from Talegaon and was a devout bhakta of Shri Swami Samarth. Whenever anyone narrated stories of Him, her eyes would well up with tears of devotion.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

148. Dwarkadas Vakil is blessed with a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

One evening Shri Swami Samarth was lying on a cot under the tamarind tree outside the Khawja Pir darga outside the village.

At night, around nine o'clock, Dwarkadas Vakil and his family arrived from Mumbai seeking Maharaj's darshan. They offered a huge number of camphor lamps with the desire of begetting a son.

Maharaj got up and angrily said, "Son, you've come to ask for something. Yet you ignore my Hanuman who is seated in the dark!?"

Vakil did not understand what Maharaj meant and stared at Him

Maharaj said, "In the temple of Murlidhar, my Hanuman is in the dark."

On hearing these words, Bhujanga, who was attending to Maharaj, went to the Murlidhar temple and saw that Swamisuta was sitting in the dark. 

He returned back and said to Vakil, "Go to the Murlidhar temple and offer lamps before Swamisuta so that Swami will take mercy on you."

Vakil and his family offered camphor lamps before Swamisuta and then came and stood before Maharaj who ordered Him to bring some chane (roasted chickpeas). 

Vakil promptly brought and placed them before Maharaj who played with them for about an hour and then returned them back to Vakil as prasad which he and his family partook. Eventually, a son was born to Vakil.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

048. A Mahar woman begets a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Once, Shri Swami Samarth was in the Mahar settlement. A woman from the Lingayat Vani community came before Him, and after offering her obeisance, prayed for his blessings to beget a son.

There was a bone lying nearby. Maharaj picked it up, handed it to her, and said, "Here is your son." Not wanting to touch something impure as a bone, the woman took a step back.

Just then, a Mahar woman, who was also desirous of having a son, stood up, and with hands outspread,  prayed to Swami, "Maharaj, give me a son."

Maharaj handed the same bone to her, and she gratefully accepted it. 

Within a year, by Shri Swami's grace, the Mahar woman gave birth to a healthy son. Such is His leela of graciousness.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

047. Ramkrishnarao Sardesai

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Shri Swami Suta had established Shri Swami's Math at Mumbai. Ramrkisharao Sardesai, a railway clerk, offered regularly offered seva there. His family was originally from Sangameshwar. He had heard of Swami from Swami Suta and accompanied him to Akkalkot to receive Maharaj's darshan. 

On seeing Maharaj in person, performing his leelas, his faith in Swami was firmly established. 

After returning home to Mumbai,  he made plans to return to Akkalkot with his wife in a few days. His wife, Annapurnabai, suffered from tuberculosis.  Both husband and wife served Maharaj with great love and devotion for many days. 

Then, one day, Sundarabai prayed to Maharaj on Annapuranabai's behalf, "Bless her with a child."

Maharaj replied, "She should serve the boar (Indian jujube) tree so that she is blessed with a fire-like son." On hearing these words, Annapuranabai placed her head on His feet.

Then, with Shri's blessings, Ramkrishnarao and Annapurnabai returned to Mumbai. 

Annapuranabai then asked Ramkrishnarao's advice, "No one offers pradakshina to the boar tree. If we offer this seva, people will criticize us. How should we go about doing this?"

Ramkrisharao replied, "Maharaj's words are understood by no one. You should offer pradakshina to the peepal tree and that should be fine."

The devout woman offered pradakshina to the peepal tree near the Balmukundbua Math for one whole year but did not have any success with conceiving. When she discussed it with her husband, Ramkrishnarao reassured her, "Maharaj's words are never in vain."

One day when Ramkrishnarao was offering seva at Swami Suta's Math, he mentioned to Brahmanandabua the seva that his wife was offering to the peepal tree. 

Bua said to Ramkrishnarao, "You did not understand the meaning of Samarth's words. He calls Shri Swami Suta a boar tree. When your wife offers seva at this Math, her desire will be fulfilled."

The couple immediately began offering regular seva at the Math and she conceived after a few days. 

After five months, Ramkrishnarao arranged for her to be sent to her parent's home in Sonwada till the baby arrived. However, he was worried for his wife and the baby's health, due to his wife being very weak due to her tuberculosis, but then reassured himself knowing that Swami was watching over both of them. 

That night, Ramkrishnarao had a dream. Swami appeared and said to him, "I am going for a bath at Sonwada." 

Ramkrishnarao thought that this was a bad omen and was again worried for his wife and unborn child.

The next morning, Annapuranabai gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and four days later, Ramkrishnarao received a letter from his in-laws informing him of the good news. 

The baby had a fiery complexion and would later have a firey temperament also. 

What is surprising is that a woman whose constitution had been weakened by severe tuberculosis gave birth to a healthy child. Such is the leela of Shri Swami Samarth as it seems that He may have been in Sonwada to deliver the baby safely and to protect the mother.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

046. The story of Ramacharya

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Ramacharya and Gayabai were a pious and devout Brahmin couple that lived in Akkalkot. Ramacharya performed rituals and his family lived off of any alms that he would receive. They had four wonderful daughters but they longed for a son.

Maharaj would sometimes visit their home. Every time He came, Gayabai would pray to Him for a son. To this, Maharaj would reply, "I will give you a son."

Two years went by but they were still without a son. Maharaj continued to reassure Gayabai, "It will happen, it will happen!"

Six years went by and still no son.

Once when Maharaj was at their home, Gayabai, with tears in her eyes, prayed to Him, "It has been six years and still no son. Why are you giving me false hope? Please tell me if it is not in my destiny. With your blessings, will I have a son in this lifetime or in the next?"

Maharaj replied, "No dear, you will have a son in this lifetime."

Two years hence, at the age of forty-five, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

036. Malojirao begets a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Malojiraje Bhosale, the ruler of the Princely State of Akkalkot, was desirous of having a son. Through the blessings of Shri Swami Samarth, the queen conceived. 

After some months, these subjects began discussing amongst themselves, if the baby would be a boy or a girl. 

When this question was put to Maharaj, he did not reply but ordered, "Bring a bangle." Those that had asked the question thought that He meant that a princess would be born, and that is what happened.

When the queen conceived again, and people put the same question to Maharaj he did not reply but got up and sat near the hearth. Those that had asked the question thought that He meant that a princess would be born, and that is what happened.

When the question was asked the third time that the queen conceived, Maharaj slapped his own thigh, stood up, and acted as if He was firing a gun. Those that had asked the question thought that He meant that a prince would be born, and that is what happened.

After his father Malojiraje, this prince, Shahajiraje became the ruler of Akkalkot.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

015. The shudra woman begets a son

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There lived a sixty-year-old man in Mangalvedha who had a wife that was fifty-two years old. Their only sorrow was that they did not have any children. The woman was chaste and devout. 

Once she met Basappa Teli and heard of the miracles that Swami had performed to lift him from the clutches of poverty. He said to her, "If you worship Swami with devotion, and if you have your daily meal only after you receive Darshan from Swami, surely your desires will be fulfilled."

The woman began following what Basappa had advised, and received Darshan from Swami daily, and only then did she eat. She did this for two years. 

In the third year, Swami, who was immensely pleased with her seva, said to her, "Take the sap from the tree there, add sugar, and eat, so that your work will be done!"

It was the shirasa tree and had fresh white sap. She took the sap and mixed it with sugar and ate it, as instructed by Swami. In some days, she conceived, and in due course of time, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She took the baby and placed him at Swami's feet to receive His blessings. 

The old man, his wife, and their son lived happily, in service of Samarth.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||