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 ||

119. Post Superintendent Babaji Sadoba

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Post Superintendent Babaji Saodba had come to Akkalkot for Swami's darshan had stayed for a few days and was getting ready to leave. He thought of getting Maharaj's permission before setting out. 

After offering obeisances, he stood before Maharaj and with folded palms prayed, "Permit me to leave."

Maharaj said, "Where are you going!? Sit!"

Babaji complied but after some time had passed again asked for Shri's permission to leave.

Maharaj replied, "Nadi kinare par rahi." At that time no one understood what these words meant.

The superintendent had exhausted his leaves and decided to leave Akkalkot even though Maharaj had not given him explicit permission. He offered his namaskar from afar and started on his journey seemingly avoiding Maharaj's sight.

When he reached Kadapgaon railway station he was informed that the heavy rains and the resultant flooding had washed away part of the bridge over the Krishna river and that it would be four days before the bridge was repaired. He would have to stay there for four days until the train arrived. It was then that he realized that Maharaj wanted to tell him that the train had been stranded on the other bank of the river.

Maharaj knows what is happening anywhere in all three worlds. Nothing is beyond his sight.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

118. Raosaheb Dhavle

 || Shri Swami Samarth ||

Raosaheb Dhavle had previously worked as a diwan but was not retired and settled in Akkalkot with the sole purpose of serving Shri Swami Samarth. 

His mother was staying in the holy city of Kashi and when she fell ill, Raosaheb received a telegram informing him of her failing health. Raosaheb requested Maharaj's permission to leave to visit his mother. 

Maharaj said to him, "Sit, where are you going!?"

As he was fully devoted to Maharaj, Raosaheb did not even think of second-guessing Shri Maharaj's orders and a few days later received a message informing him that his mother was recovering.

The second time around when he received another telegram informing him of his mother's failing health, Maharaj did not allow him to leave and he did not go. His mother recovered.

However, the third time around Maharaj said, "Now go!"

When Dhavle reached Kashi, his mother passed away. After the vidhis had been completed, Raosaheb returned to Akkalkot. 

Maharaj said to him, "Had you gone before the cow would have sat in the mud", which meant that had he gone to Kashi the first time he got the telegram he would have had to stay in Kashi for two to three years.

It seems that it was important that Raosaheb stay in Akkalkot for his own spiritual progress rather than go to Kashi, and Maharaj ensure that he did just that for the first two times and only when his mother's end was truly near did Shri allow him to go. 

After serving Shri Swami Samarth for many more days, he was then permitted to take Sannyas.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

176. A woman's eye malady is removed

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

There was a woman who had pain and irritation in her eyes for many days. When she asked Maharaj for a cure, Shri Swami Maharaj replied, "Add a few drops of buffalo urine and you will be cured." The woman followed the instructions for three days and her malady was removed. She could see properly.

Another woman had a tumor on her neck that burst one day but the pus would not stop flowing from the wound. She asked Shri Samarth for a remedy and he replied, "Apply bull urine to it so that you will feel better." After three-four days of implementing this remedy, she was cured and the wound healed.

Such is Shri's leela. He gave different remedies to different people. Those that were there in His service daily would be witnesses to such miracles.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

177. Ramchandra Keroba

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Ramchandra Keroba was stricken with tuberculosis and fell ill. He tried many treatments but his health continued to deteriorate. The company where he worked went bankrupt and he found himself suddenly out of a job. One day he happened to hear the glory of Akkalkot and was told that the Swami Maharaj at Akkalkot could free him from his misery.

Ramchandra went to Akkalkot accompanied by his mother. Maharaj was seated on a cot under the banyan tree.  Mesmerized on seeing Maharaj, Ramchandra paid his obeisances, and offering fruits and sweets,  stood before Him with folded palms and a smile of joy on his countenance.

On seeing him, Maharaj ordered, "You! Come here!"

When Ramchandra took a step forward, Maharaj handed him a coconut as prasad and said, "Why are you sitting here smiling!? Go back home!"

The attendees explained that now that Ramchandra had received prasad, he could go home. He stayed for a few days and saw Maharaj perform miracles and answer prayers. He offered some small seva where he could and then returned home.

A few days after returning home, his health had improved without any medicines. He was also able to secure a good position. This was all due to the grace of Shri Swami Samarth. He continued serving Maharaj with love and devotion.

It is impossible for any ordinary human to recount how Maharaj has positively influenced the lives of countless devotees.  No mortal can truly describe His glory!

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

116. Nanabua Tandulvadkar

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

Nanabua Tandulvadkar of Satara was a Pandharpur Varkari. He performed devotional service with great love and had many spiritual experiences. On hearing that Shri Datta Avatar Swami Samarth Maharaj was residing in Akkalkot for the upliftment of His devotees, Nanabua decided to seek His darshan. 

Shri Swami Samarth was at Cholappa's home when Nanabua arrived there. He offered his obeisances and then sat down in front of Maharaj. On seeing the effulgent ajanabahu form of Shri Maharaj, tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. When his heart with contented with the darshan, Nanabua went to Ganpatrao Joshi's place, which is where he was staying in Akkalkot. He thought to himself that he should perform a bhajan for Shri Swami Samarth but was unsure if He would sit for the bhajan, and this worried him. 

Maharaj knows what is in everyone's hearts and knowing Nanabua's desire to perform bhajan for Him, Shri went to Joshi's home. An ecstatic Nanabua arranged for the mrindanga, veena, and other instruments, and commenced his musical devotional offering. As the evening went on, all listeners experienced devotional love arising in their hearts, as tears of love flowed from Nanabua's eyes.

Suddenly, he collapsed to the ground but kept looking at Shri Swami Samarth. He lay there for a ghatika (approximately twenty-four minutes) as the attendees rushed to his aid. Soon, he was up and performing again as before. When the bhajan ended, Nanabua performed the aarti for Shri Swami Samarth, and after offering his obeisances, sat down. 

Joshi asked him why he fell to the ground and did not move for almost a ghatika. Nanabua explained that mid-way into the bhajan, Maharaj disappeared, and in His place stood, Shri Panduranga, with arms on his waist, crown on his head, and wearing pitambar. Nanabua explained that he had entered into a samadhi state on seeing this most beautiful form. He continued and confirmed that Shri Swami Samarth is undoubtedly a Datta Avatar and has appeared in human form solely for the purpose of uplifting all of mankind.

Nanabua stayed in Akkalkot for a few more days and served Maharaj with great love and devotion. Then with Shri Swami Samarth's permission, went back home.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

115. Urination on a Muslim grave

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

One afternoon Shri Maharaj got up from where he was seated, put on his slippers, and started walking. Around fifty of His devotees followed Him. 

There was a Muslim burial ground on the outskirts of the village and Maharaj went there. He ordered for a large stone to be brought and dropped into the well. Then, He proceeded to urinate on a grave just like a small child, and then defecated nearby.

Some Muslims who were present in the graveyard saw this and were greatly angered. They went and informed others in their community who quickly armed themselves with sticks and marched toward where Maharaj was.

On seeing from afar the angry mob, coming towards them, Shri's devotees warned  Him, "Maharaj, the Muslims are coming to beat You."

At that time, Maharaj had two large dogs with Him. One was named Bokad and the other was called Motya.

Maharaj knelt on the ground and while pressing the ground instructed a devotee, "Press down Bokad! Press down Bokad!"

The devotee complied and pressed the dog down on the ground. When this happened, the children of all those in the mob, began screaming in pain. Their frightened mothers came running to call back their husbands. No one understood what was happening.

Then, an older Muslim man said to his gathered folk, "This is the doing of Shri Swami Samarth! We must surrender to Him so that our children will have relief."

They agreed and leaving their sticks came to Maharaj asking for forgiveness. The most merciful Shri Dattatreya Swami asked the attendant to release the dog, and when this was done, they soon received a message that the children were completely normal and their stomach pain had disappeared completely. Everyone was mesmerized. 

The Muslims, understanding that Shri Swami Maharaj was a great Awliya, returned back to their homes.

Such is the strange leela of Shri Swami Samarth.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

157. Maoljiraje receives final darshan

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

One cannot fully understand Shri as He is boundless and limitless. To all those who have served Him and continue to serve Him, He bestows grace as per the ability of the devotee. Swami may perform miracles, bestow boons, provide instructions, or show a path. All that Samarth does is hidden from the world and is only known to Him and the devotee receiving His grace.

When Shrimant Malojiraje fell ill and was on his deathbed. His last wish was to have Shri Swami Samarth's darshan and asked all his attendants to request Maharaj to come to the palace. But, Maharaj did not come. When Malojiraje's end was near, Maharaj suddenly arrived at the palace and gave darshan. 

After seeing the most auspicious Maharaj before him, Malojiraje finally left his mortal coil. Such great fortune! 

Maharaj always graces his devotees without fail.

|| Shri Swami Samarth ||

141. An attempt to take Maharaj to Baroda

|| 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 ||

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 ||